What a day...

Well, after last night's dinner...let's just say i relapsed.  Without a doubt, i can trace it back to the "Andhra" fish curry.  Argh...last night was not pleasant.

Today my dad had four shoebox gift distributions scheduled.  I think sometimes he forgets he's not a teenager anymore...that kind of schedule is exhausting.  He left in the morning and got home around 4:30 after only two... and we were leaving at 4:30 p.m. for the next two.  Normally, we all don't go, but after the second one, we were invited for dinner...so off we went.  Well, the rest of them went, i decided to stay home because of my "delicate" system.  Actually, they went to the one and came and picked me up between the two...i felt bad that this family had wanted to host us and it seemed rude not to go.  Better to go and eat very little, than not go at all. 

This was a long program...i'm not sure any kids can sit through it, much less our kids, especially when it was all in Telugu.  It must get really monotonous to do this everyday, multiple times a day...

They gather the kids around, then talk about: 

- Samaritan's Purse and the number of kids in America that put together these shoebox gifts

- the different between a gift and a prize and the gift of love and salvation.  

- go through the 10 commandments

- any special guests of honor get to talk a little too

- roll call for the kids that enrolled to get a gift

- lining them up and getting the gifts sorted for their specs

- then come the handing out of gifts and photo ops...

Even the adults were getting restless.  Well, kids will sit through it...but not quietly.

The dinner was delicious...especially the biryani.  I did end up tasting it and it was beyond yummy! wish i could have had more.  Tomorrow it's only BRAT for me...well, all minus the apple sauce.   We're going to be on the road in a couple days, i need to get all sorted by then.

Shopping...again

We did go shopping again today and yes, we did capture the experience in pictures.  Although this also was "indian" shopping, it wasn't the "off the street" shopping that is a daily occurrence.  Today was more of an outing.  Like making a quick stop at Target (yesterday) vs. going to IKEA (today)  IKEA is never a "quick run" for me...i like browsing there. 

Both B and myself needed different anklets as hers were too small and mine were worn and coming apart.  Not totally happy - i liked what i had the best, but am ok with it...until the next time.  Everyone felt sorry for B with all the red welts on her arms from the mosquito bites.  She milked it! =D

Since this place is mostly a fabric store, S and Dad and J weren't too excited...and eventually B lost interest too.  This is a mom and me thing.  S and Dad were relegated to being babysitters, which is not easy in a store.  Thank goodness J exuded enough cuteness for people not to be too bothered by him.  OK...so i've learned my lesson - no shopping with the kids for longer than 30 minutes.  It's probably easier for S and Dad to watch them at home - i'll have to remember that for next time.  S was able to participate a little - we got a few shirts for him, and a scarf.  We also got more fabric to make B some outfits (the mosquitoes are relentless here) to cover her arms and legs.  Knowing it was going to be warm, i only got one pair of pants for her (for traveling), but she needs some linen pants to keep her legs covered and cool.  Nothing decent here...so we're going to have to make some.  J seems to have "yucky" blood - the blood suckers aren't bothering him too much.  It would be very hard to keep him from itching. 

After shopping we decided to grab dinner before heading home.  Dad knew a place he wanted to go nearby, but didn't know the exact location, just the general direction.  We walked a ways and then Dad decided to check it out on his own.  So, here we are, Mom, myself, S, B and J...standing aimlessly on the side of the road waiting for some signal from my dad.  Many auto rickshaws (taxis) meandered our way hoping for clients, but we disappointed them.  There was a restaurant right across the street from us and after waiting a while we were tempted to can Dad's idea and just go in...but we had no way of letting Dad know the change of plans.  Dad had his heart set on whatever place he had in mind...so we indulged him.  After about 1/2 hour to 45 minutes Dad came back and said, he had found the place.  It was the one across the street!!!   Argh...we could have ordered and started eating by then...the kids were not happy.  You just have to roll your eyes on this one. 

They said it was family friendly, but of course, it was a nice sit down place with glass flatware, linen napkins, overpriced dishes and waiters who were getting paid to watch tv.  We ordered kebabs as appetizers - they were good and the kids loved them.  We also ordered chicken biryani, mutton curry and (by Dad's request) Andhra fish curry.  

SIDE NOTE: If something is labeled "Andhra whatever" it's going to be spicy...i mean, really spicy.  The kind where just taking a spoon won't help, you have to practically drown yourself in yogurt.  "Andhra" is just another word of "you can't feel your tongue" spicy.  I know - my family is from Andhra and my dad's side of the family cooks "Andhra" style.  We couldn't drink enough water!

After the kebabs, the rest of the meal was a bust.  Once we'd had a taste of the fish curry, we couldn't taste anything else.  Plus - and my biggest grievance - they charged us Rs. 150 for plain white rice!!!  That's like charging for water - you don't charge for rice...it should come with the curry.  The rotis were Rs. 20-25...we should have just ordered that.  This was insane!!!  Of course, we wouldn't find out until after we'd eaten and got the check.  But i made sure they knew my sentiments in their "comments" card.  Told them if we ever came again, we'd be sure to bring our own rice.  This is India - you don't charge for plain rice!  Biryani, fine...pulao fine...fried rice...fine - but plain, unseasoned, white, rice - are you kidding me! 

Ok...i'm done...need to get my heart ready for church tomorrow (that's not going to be fun)

Nice naps

The kids seem to nap a lot better here in India for some reason.  They sleep a lot longer without waking up peridically (unlike in Seattle).  We think it's because Thatha and Amama's home feels quite comfortable, balancing the outside warmth with soft electric fans and thick concrete walls, ceilings, and floors to keep the temperature down.  It's been in the 90's lately....folks feel summer is arriving early.  But inside our home, it's very nice.  Under similar weather conditions in Seattle, our home there would be a stifling oven.

Shopping

This day would look a lot more interesting if i had pictures to go along with it...but i don't. Mom and I and one of her friends went shopping. I think i was invited because they needed a pack mule...but whatever. I know shopping doesn't sound that exciting, but it was fun for me...we did it Indian style and in my old neighborhood. Things have really developed since we lived there...there's even a KFC and Subway within walking distance from our old house.

We bought:

- flip flops for J (he's "stealing" everyone else), myself and Sam (they don't fit, so we'll have to get him some other ones)

- cloth to make cloth diapers for J (have to be exchanged since it actually might be cheaper in Wal-Mart)

- fabric to make little cotton long sleeve "petticoats" for B - to keep her arms covered from the mosquitoes and still keep her cool

- sappotas...yum!

- and looked at some furniture for my parents

It was nice to get something practical done, but boy...was it hot outside...i think 1 1/2 hours is about all we can handle outside in the middle of the day. We thought about bringing B along, but she wouldn't have been able to handle the walk or the sun. Glad she stayed at home...

While we were buying sappotas i wish i'd had a camera...but if i have a camera then i also loose my bargaining power since it shows i have "money"...problem.  Solution: cell phone camera.  Brilliant!  Even the fruit vendors have mobiles...so it's not a big deal to carry mine around.  Yeah, problem solved.  There'll be pics from the next time we go shopping again.

Bath In A Bucket, Part 2

A sequel to "Bath In A Bucket", starring "J"!

On the mend...

Well...S is much better.  I tried some cheese last night...not a good idea, but am better today.  J is the only one that is really out of it today...i guess it's his turn.  He's only had water, but at least he's drinking something...and he had a couple pieces of toast...so we'll see.  We have been shoving some glucose biscuits (comparable to crackers) at him...and he's been eating them...yeah

Also gave the kids haircuts...the weather is getting quite warm here...in the 90's.  There's a couple spots where J moved, hopefully it'll grow out soon.  B kept changing her mind...first Mulan, then Belle, then Jasmine...she doesn't know that no matter what she wants, it'll always end up as whatever Mommy wants.

This evening we went for a walk to my "close" aunt's house.  It was good to get out of the house.  Because of the bug, we haven't left the house in a few days and i think the kids had cabin fever.  Getting out was nice...we saw a mummy pig and her piglets and lots of dogs.  What an education for B!  

I visited the beauty parlor - they're all over the place and they're only for "ladies" in case men get any ideas.  It was nice to get a little pampering for quite a reasonable price.  Yeah...wish i could come here more often than once every three years.  S and the kids hung out there...B and J watched "Finding Nemo" for a bit and S and my uncle watched some T.V.  All in all a good day.  

J allowed me to feed him a few bites of plain white rice, which is a vast improvement since yesterday... he's getting better... This thing has taken us out for an entire week...here's to a fun weekend.

It's S turn

I feel a little better today...still a little weak, but better.  S, however, is knocked out.  He's been in bed all day without eating anything.  This bug is really kicking our butts.  My mom made a little tapioca pudding which is supposed to help...he says he felt a little better after that and some coconut water (fresh out of a coconut). 

Dad was fine after he woke up, so i think he's on the mend.  Hopefully this is only a 24 hour bug...  I thought J would be fine, but he wasn't...just a little delayed.  He has no appetite now, so i hope he'll be ok overnight...he's been playing fine, so didn't think he'd be affected.  

We've narrowed it down to the lunch we had at church...the catered lunch.  Mom didn't go to church with us, so she didn't have the lunch...and she's the only one that hasn't had this bug.  Also, we've heard that a few other people from church are also "sick"...well, what conclusion would you come to?

Bad...bad...day

Should have known this day was going to be "one of those days" when i was woken up at 4:30 a.m. J overflowed his diaper, which got B wet too.  We had to change both the kids and all the sheets!  Sheesh!

So, we put B in the living room and J with my parents, while we changed the sheets.  Before putting B down, i sprayed her with "pesticide free" mosquito repellent - our living room gives them plenty of space to hide and they come out while you're sleeping.  B seems to be particularly allergic to mosquito bites, they just swell up on her.  That and the scratching...i'm surprised we haven't been to a hospital yet because of infection.  We have been practically bathing her in calomine lotion, hopefully that'll stave off any infection.

Anyway, when i sprayed the repellent, i happened to inhale some of the fumes...it was literally nauseating..I couldn't go back to sleep.  And that began my day.  I dozed off for a little while but did not feel good AT ALL.  Had breakfast, but upchucked it all within an hour.  Talk about an upset stomach...it was pretty bad.  Well, safe to say, i didn't eat anything all day and i'm not even hungry...

Oh yeah...and B had her own "issues" during her afternoon nap...so had to change those sheets too.  This day can't end soon enough...  Am going to try and get some shut eye - both S and my dad say that they're not feeling the greatest either.  What is going on?! 

No Exhibition

Well...we didn't go to the Exhibition today...that's about it.  Stayed at home and rested.

Mom said that whatever we saw at the Exhibition, we could find in the city somewhere and there were some other deals going on we could check out close to our home.  That and the cost and time it took going there and coming back wouldn't save us that much money if we just shopped around here.  Also, since it's the last day, the crowds would be crazy.  And last, but not least, we weren't fully confident that Sam and my Dad could handle the kids for that long...they'd be chewed up and spit out before they knew what hit them.  Ok, it wouldn't be that drastic, but i feel like i'd owe them big and right now, i don't feel like "owing" anyone.  

So, i got an afternoon nap in...yippee

Bella got a little bit of a tummy problem tonight, hopefully it'll resolve itself by tomorrow

Church...strange, Valentines...good

Church was the same…and yet different...the format was the same, the songs were the same, prayers were the same, but the faces were different.  There were even a couple "foreigners" there, not including S.  It was disappointing.  I must have been hoping for a mini reunion ...argh, unmet expectations.  After the service I mentioned to S that none of the crowd that I hung out with (13 years ago) was still going to this church…my “gang”.  OK, I take that back…there are still three around...and one of them is me.  There used to be a rather large young adult/career group…about 20 - 30 of us and what fun we used to have together.  The "gang" probably consisted of 5-6 of us of the whole.  Most of them are gone now, some in Australia, some in the UK, couple in the US and I know some are still here…but don’t go to this church anymore.  
 
When we came here last, three of "the gang" were still coming here, so I at least got to see them on Sundays.  This time around, only one…the other two have disappeared and I have no idea how to get in touch with them.  Sad - to come all this way and not be able to hang.  But it was good to see the other one…in the last three years she’s gotten married and is expecting a little one in May.  It’s amazing how much you can miss when you’re gone for even a short while…but I guess a lot can happen in 3 years.  We not only had J, and he's had surgery, and it's been over a year since his surgery and he's almost two.  
 
One of the couples celebrated their 1 year anniversary, so they treated the church to lunch after the service.  It was good, but extremely greasy (to be expected of catered food)…I and J enjoyed the rice and chicken and curries…fish was too spicy for them, but J had a few bits.
 
S and I got a chance to go out on a date, it being Valentine’s and all.  We walked to a little joint and had pani puri and shakes...and took some dinner back.  S thinks we should introduce pani puri to the West,  but it probably wouldn’t taste the same.  We might be able to find them in some restaurants...but it'll be quite the search and i don't think that's part of our budget.  Besides, we're still working out the other Indian eatery idea.  

Dinner consisted of: Singapore noodles (ehh....way better in Singapore =D)
Siddharth Special noodles (same as above, but with more grease, spices and cheese).  
Aloo palak (potato and spinach curry) - very bland
Roasted chicken curry (from a curry stand) - pretty good
Badam milk (almond flavored milk) - eh...
 
We'll be visiting the curry stand again.  The noodles place - their shakes and pani puris were decent.  Will have to introduce S to the usual way we eat pani puris - one at a time, standing up.  Probably get the full quota that way.


Tomorrow...exhibition