Kisses

The other day I was thinking about greeting people with kisses. I am very much a non-kissy person. However, the world seems to be full of kissy people and I am learning how to break out of my comfort zone a bit.

I have a tainted history of kissiness. I remember my first awkward moment was when I was in France when I was 19. I met a guy named Ole Fagerli from Norway. After a few months of working with him in France, it was time to say good-bye. So I thought I would do the french greeting and kiss on both cheeks. I didn't know what the Norwegian way was so this was my default. Well Ole was going for the American way of not kissing, but just hugging. So we ended up just touching cheeks together and I made an awkward kissing noise. This was quite humiliating. It seemed like such a weird sounds. I still cringe at the memory.

Then there is my husband's family. They are a very kissy bunch. In fact, they kiss on the lips. Now for someone who had never kissed anyone on the lips before my husband, this was extremely uncomfortable. So it was a few years after we were married that we were leaving after a visit and it came time for the good-bye kisses. I did the unthinkable and told my father in-law (who is the king of kissiness) that, "I don't do that kissing thing." I think he was crushed. I alienated myself from that moment on.

And now here I am many years later dealing with kisses again. I go to a Bible study that is very multi-ethnic. There are British, South Africans, Afganis, and me. So I was the first one to arrive the other day and shook hands with the host. But as everyone else arrived they went around and gave a kiss on both cheeks to each person in the room, including me. So after I watched this happen to the next person that arrived I got into the spirit of it all and prepared myself for kisses. It is quite a nice way to greet someone.

The only problem is I don't know what the proper amount of kisses is. I have Indian friends that do three kisses and some that do one kiss. It seems the Bible study people do two. So now I have this horrible fear of doing the wrong amount and ending up making another strange kissy sound in someones ear. My anxiety level is rising just thinking about it.

Spot

We got a dog for Micah's birthday. His name is Spot. Micah named him. I find it humorous that he chose the name Spot. You see, I had a "spot" incident in my past that was quite humiliating and the incident was always known as "the spot". It even took some counseling to work through it this past year (after 14 years of pain from it). SO to have a little Spot now that is so cute is refreshing and a reminder of the God's goodness in helping me through my pain.

New nephew, Daniel

This is my newest nephew, Daniel. He was born on the 14th and weighs 7lbs. 12 oz. What a sweet little boy.

Wedding

Saturday was the wedding of our friend, Khushboo. She is the youngest sister in a family of 9 siblings whose parents died several years ago. I would guess her to be 20 years old. This was an arranged marriage. Her oldest brother had met the guy once or twice before the wedding. Khushboo didn't even get to see a picture of the guy. Before the guy even arrived she had signed the paper saying she would marry him and was officially married. Then the guy arrived......

Azhar is the groom. He was said to be around 31 years old. He comes from a good family in old Delhi. When I saw him my stomach dropped. I would guess his age to be closer to 40. I filmed his arrival and then brought the camera to Khushboo to show her what her husband looked like. I couldn't see her face because she was all covered, but she said, "Aachaa luckta hai." That means, "He looks nice."

I was introduced to the grooms family and thought they all seemed pleasant enough. Then I went on the stage where the groom was sitting with some family and friends and introduced myself to him. This may not be proper in muslim culture, but I wanted to meet him. He was a bit rude to me and brushed me off. His uncle excused his behavior saying he was tense. I didn't like him.

A couple hours later it was time for the couple to meet. The groom went off the stage and Khushboo was brought up all covered. I watched the groom as she was brought into the room. He looked bored and never once glanced her way. This may be cultural, but it made me not like him even more. He then went up and sat next to her. They didn't look at eachother. Pictures were taken with different people sitting next to them. And then it was time for them to leave. Khushboo's family and friends hugged her. As I hugged her good-bye I started to cry. I just felt so sad for her. It didn't seem like a good match for her. I can't understand why her brother would arrange it. He says it is a good family. That seems to be the important part.

So Khushboo's brothers carried her out to the car. It was so sweet to see her brother carrying her. She was crying as they put her in the car. Then the groom got in by her in the back and they drove away.

I was the spectacle of the evening with my crying. Several from his family came up to me and hugged me and told me to be happy. I think pictures were snapped. I heard several comments of "Leslie is crying." But I didn't care. I let the tears roll. I was very sad to say good-bye to Khushboo. And really that is what it is. She will no longer be the same Khushboo, she is now a woman and not a carefree young girl. She will be forever changed.

Aerobics anyone?

Next week I will start two classes of aerobics for the ladies in the community. I haven't taught aerobics in over a year and a half and have about 10 extra pounds on my body to prove it. So I have been working on my routines (I feel silly just saying that). I'm using some great songs. Oh Mickey! Remember that one? And I Think We're Alone Now, by Tiffany. Too bad no one here will know how cool these songs really are.

So this morning I was going through the routine and got to the floor work were I do the doggie and donkey moves. You know those? Where you are on hands and knees and doing leg lifts to the side and back. Well I can hardly do 8 and my rump is killing me. And I am suppose to be the leader here. Yikes! I already knew that most of the 10 pounds were down there, but this made it a sore subject. So I am starting to worry about next week when I am in front of ladies. What if I get a cramp in my gluteus maximus and can't move?

The positive side of all of this is that it forces me to get back in shape. I will never have the figure that I had on my wedding day, but if my arms will stop wiggling when I wave to someone that will be enough. Anyone else want to join a class with me?

The song - I get knocked down

I know this song doesn't have the best words, but I love it anyway. And I think it comes from the Bible so it is Christian. 2 Cor. 4:9 "We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going." This was my theme last year (and last week when I fell).