Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Rice, Rice, Baby!
I opened the expensive bag of rice that Steve bought and poured it into our rice container. Guess what. Bugs. The expensive rice has lots of little black rice bugs. Worse yet, I know our househelp lady doesn't pick through the rice when she makes lunch, she just adds black seeds so I can't see the bugs. Looking forward to lunch tomorrow. Anyone want to come over?
Monday, October 26, 2009
Ripped Off!
I hate getting ripped off! Today, Steve came home with a 1kg bag of rice. You don't pick your own groceries out at the store, you just ask for something and they get it for you. So you have to check what they are giving you. And naturally, the store owner wants to sell the most expensive brand, and it feels like, especially to the foreigner. So I saw this nice brand of rice and had to look at the price. 142/-!!!!! I can get rice for 20/- that is fine and not full of rocks. So why on earth would I want rice that is 7 times as much? I try not to blame Steve for not looking, or knowing, the price. When I told him how much rice usually costs he was shocked and said he would try to take it back. Sometimes I just feel like screaming!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
sadness and disappointment
Yesterday I had a tea party with a discussion on Family Relationships, for the aerobic ladies. The plan was that one of the ladies would share and we would then have a discussion time. But the lady never got around to sharing. It turned into more of a "question from foreigners" time. I had hoped to also add some lessons from the Bible, but that didn't happen.
I was sad when it ended. I felt hopeless. The ladies had shared their stories and they weren't ones I would enjoy living. They said the most Important thing for Indian men is their egos. And they all agreed that men love their mothers more than their wives. The worst, all men are cheaters. Now I know this is not true, not all men need big egos, not all men love their mom's more, and not all men are cheaters. But for the ones who said this, it is their reality. And that is sad.
I asked a friend about the statement that all men are cheaters. Yes, she did indeed mean that they sexually cheat. And their wives are just to accept it. Wow! How sad! Oh, how much they need Jesus. How they must be hurting. But how inadequate I feel. How can I share with them without it seeming as my western point of view? To them it is just the way Indian men are.
So today I am thinking over what to do next. I think I need a Christian Indian woman to come share with them the hope that we have in Christ. I can be thankful for their openness in sharing with me. And I can weep for them.
I was sad when it ended. I felt hopeless. The ladies had shared their stories and they weren't ones I would enjoy living. They said the most Important thing for Indian men is their egos. And they all agreed that men love their mothers more than their wives. The worst, all men are cheaters. Now I know this is not true, not all men need big egos, not all men love their mom's more, and not all men are cheaters. But for the ones who said this, it is their reality. And that is sad.
I asked a friend about the statement that all men are cheaters. Yes, she did indeed mean that they sexually cheat. And their wives are just to accept it. Wow! How sad! Oh, how much they need Jesus. How they must be hurting. But how inadequate I feel. How can I share with them without it seeming as my western point of view? To them it is just the way Indian men are.
So today I am thinking over what to do next. I think I need a Christian Indian woman to come share with them the hope that we have in Christ. I can be thankful for their openness in sharing with me. And I can weep for them.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Micah is 9
Today is Micah's birthday. He is 9 years old!!! Crazy to think that it was 10 years ago that I gave birth to that big baby. I love you Micah! Happy Birthday!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Fame or Fortune
Which would I choose? Fame or Fortune? There is a lot I could do with fortune. I could make my life pretty easy. But I am not a materialistic person. I'm a minimalist. I prefer to get rid of stuff. So I would choose fame.
A friend is writing a book about women in India. Some of the stories will come from her relationship with women she met at the gym. And some will be my stories of relationships I have had with ladies at the gym. I am really excited to read her book. Not just about the gym and to see my name in print, but that will be a big part of it.
"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches" Proverbs something verse something.
I want people to think of me as a good person who isn't bad to be around. I need people. Sure, people end up ruining everything, but I really need them. Think of church. People are the cause of all the problems at church. Or relationships, people ruin their relationships. But God created us to need each other. It is not good for man to be alone.
Most likely I won't have either fame or fortune. I guess I need to lower my expectations of myself.
A friend is writing a book about women in India. Some of the stories will come from her relationship with women she met at the gym. And some will be my stories of relationships I have had with ladies at the gym. I am really excited to read her book. Not just about the gym and to see my name in print, but that will be a big part of it.
"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches" Proverbs something verse something.
I want people to think of me as a good person who isn't bad to be around. I need people. Sure, people end up ruining everything, but I really need them. Think of church. People are the cause of all the problems at church. Or relationships, people ruin their relationships. But God created us to need each other. It is not good for man to be alone.
Most likely I won't have either fame or fortune. I guess I need to lower my expectations of myself.
Monday, October 12, 2009
New Fish
We got four new fish for our empty fish tank. Two goldfish and two Tiger Sharks. They were in the same tank at the pet store so we figure they get along. We also needed to buy a filter since the last one we had was a joke. But the pet store didn't have the small size. He said he would have it the next day. We are a bit lazy I guess. We didn't want to make another trip to the store, so we went for the medium.
The medium filter is about the same length as our tank. And it is about half as wide. So basically it takes up half of our fish tank. And it looks like a sunken submarine. When Steve put it in the tank, Micah came in to the room and told me, "The filter is so ugly." But the real fun began when we turned it on. It is so powerful that it sucks the fish into the tornado and they go flopping around. It is quite humorous to watch actually. The poor fish try to avoid it, by swimming with all their might. But eventually they get sucked in. Then they get blown into the glass wall. So we only turn it on for a few minutes to give them oxygen and a little exercise, then we turn it off. They look so peaceful when it is off.
The moral of the story is, "If you have a small tank, get a small filter."
The medium filter is about the same length as our tank. And it is about half as wide. So basically it takes up half of our fish tank. And it looks like a sunken submarine. When Steve put it in the tank, Micah came in to the room and told me, "The filter is so ugly." But the real fun began when we turned it on. It is so powerful that it sucks the fish into the tornado and they go flopping around. It is quite humorous to watch actually. The poor fish try to avoid it, by swimming with all their might. But eventually they get sucked in. Then they get blown into the glass wall. So we only turn it on for a few minutes to give them oxygen and a little exercise, then we turn it off. They look so peaceful when it is off.
The moral of the story is, "If you have a small tank, get a small filter."
Friday, October 9, 2009
Death
I hate to admit it, but I think about death a lot more than I tell my counselors about. When you fill out the form that asks, "Do you think about dying?" I try to give them the answer I think they would like to hear. But the truth is, I think about dying a lot. Go ahead and send the men in white jackets to my house. Even in a padded room, I would think about death.
I read the other day, a recommendation to think about your own death. I think it was to make us realize that our life is a blink and we really don't matter that much in the greater scheme of things. Not a very encouraging thought. But imagine you, lying in the coffin. For one day a handful of people come to visit you there and then they are gone. They go back to their lives without much thought of you not being there. All your things are soon given away (or thrown away), even your money will be spent. Family will remember you but the rest of the world forgets soon.
But death is just a moment. Then there is the afterlife. That is what I want to focus on. Death is dramatic. And when people are all filing by to say good-bye, you will already be on the other side.
I like to think about heaven. I don't like to think about hell. I imagine there will be colors that I have never seen before. I imagine being held in Jesus' arms. I will see my Grandmas there again. And I really want to ask Jesus some questions. Like, "What did you write in the dirt when the men were accusing the woman of adultery?" I wonder if I will be able to fly. Or jump really high. Will I be overcome with emotion when I see Jesus? I am normally not a highly emotional person, so that could be weird for me. But I would love it.
I like to make people laugh. In my death I hope to leave people with a smile on their faces. So that is why, if you come to my funeral, you will have to walk by the open casket. I will have one final joke to share with you (if Steve doesn't stop it from happening that is). I want to be naked in the casket. I hope I am really old, but even if I'm not, that is how I want to go. And I hope they put a big smile on my face, with my teeth showing. I will already have my new body by then, Praise God.
So go ahead and send the men in white to take me away. I already know I'm crazy.
I read the other day, a recommendation to think about your own death. I think it was to make us realize that our life is a blink and we really don't matter that much in the greater scheme of things. Not a very encouraging thought. But imagine you, lying in the coffin. For one day a handful of people come to visit you there and then they are gone. They go back to their lives without much thought of you not being there. All your things are soon given away (or thrown away), even your money will be spent. Family will remember you but the rest of the world forgets soon.
But death is just a moment. Then there is the afterlife. That is what I want to focus on. Death is dramatic. And when people are all filing by to say good-bye, you will already be on the other side.
I like to think about heaven. I don't like to think about hell. I imagine there will be colors that I have never seen before. I imagine being held in Jesus' arms. I will see my Grandmas there again. And I really want to ask Jesus some questions. Like, "What did you write in the dirt when the men were accusing the woman of adultery?" I wonder if I will be able to fly. Or jump really high. Will I be overcome with emotion when I see Jesus? I am normally not a highly emotional person, so that could be weird for me. But I would love it.
I like to make people laugh. In my death I hope to leave people with a smile on their faces. So that is why, if you come to my funeral, you will have to walk by the open casket. I will have one final joke to share with you (if Steve doesn't stop it from happening that is). I want to be naked in the casket. I hope I am really old, but even if I'm not, that is how I want to go. And I hope they put a big smile on my face, with my teeth showing. I will already have my new body by then, Praise God.
So go ahead and send the men in white to take me away. I already know I'm crazy.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
School lunch ideas
Even though I don't have to make brown bag lunches for Micah anymore, I thought I would share some ideas I have. Mostly so my mind will stop thinking about them.
Tired of PB&J? Egg salad, tuna, cheese are good substitutes. But here are some other easy substitutes. Get out a tortilla wrap and put some goodies in it for a change. Meat, cheese and lettuce make a quick wrap. How about a fried egg and cheese. My son likes ketchup with his egg and cheese wrap. Or just a nice veggie wrap with their favorite dressing. Even spaghetti can turn into a wrap.
Kids will eat a lot of things cold. So what about some meatloaf? I've never made meatloaf myself, but I hear you can make a good sandwich out of it. Left over pizza from the night before when you didn't feel like cooking is good. Boiled eggs. Left over spaghetti.
Make a quick snack-pack. Cheese and crackers, crackers with peanut butter, pepperoni slices, beef jerky, granola or garlic bread.
Use the thermos that never gets used. Send some cereal to school and put some milk in the thermos. Soup and crackers. Spaghetti. Top Raman. Chili. Any good, thick soup.
And if you still can't come up with some ideas, my favorite lunch as a kid was when I brought a bag of chocolate covered oreos for lunch and a diet coke. I hope these ideas give you a new round of lunches.
Tired of PB&J? Egg salad, tuna, cheese are good substitutes. But here are some other easy substitutes. Get out a tortilla wrap and put some goodies in it for a change. Meat, cheese and lettuce make a quick wrap. How about a fried egg and cheese. My son likes ketchup with his egg and cheese wrap. Or just a nice veggie wrap with their favorite dressing. Even spaghetti can turn into a wrap.
Kids will eat a lot of things cold. So what about some meatloaf? I've never made meatloaf myself, but I hear you can make a good sandwich out of it. Left over pizza from the night before when you didn't feel like cooking is good. Boiled eggs. Left over spaghetti.
Make a quick snack-pack. Cheese and crackers, crackers with peanut butter, pepperoni slices, beef jerky, granola or garlic bread.
Use the thermos that never gets used. Send some cereal to school and put some milk in the thermos. Soup and crackers. Spaghetti. Top Raman. Chili. Any good, thick soup.
And if you still can't come up with some ideas, my favorite lunch as a kid was when I brought a bag of chocolate covered oreos for lunch and a diet coke. I hope these ideas give you a new round of lunches.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Visitor
This past week we have had our cousin Brian visiting us. He was on a trip is Asia, sailing between different beautiful destinations, and decided to pop over to see us. Obviously you can't sail to Delhi, so he flew. We had a wonderful time with him.
I went with him to Humayan's Tomb, which is just a walk away. We took a cycle rickshaw since it was hot and a fun experience. Humayan's Tomb is a beautiful structure, like the Taj Mahal. It is made out of red sandstone. We first climbed around some of the ruins and then went to the tomb.
The next day we did some shopping. We went to Dilli Haat, a handicraft market. I found the perfect wall hanging. It was another hot day so we sweated and drank lots of water. Brian found some nice gifts for people. Then it was off to Sarojini Nagar, a very crowded market. That is a good India experience. Shoving, yelling, street venders, smells, beggars, and piles of clothes to buy.
On Monday Steve took Brian to the Taj Mahal. They went by train which is only 3 hours. Another fun experience. It rained all day on them. But still the Taj is beautiful.
The best part of the visit was being able to get to know Brian better. It doesn't really matter what we do together, it is just being together that is good.
I went with him to Humayan's Tomb, which is just a walk away. We took a cycle rickshaw since it was hot and a fun experience. Humayan's Tomb is a beautiful structure, like the Taj Mahal. It is made out of red sandstone. We first climbed around some of the ruins and then went to the tomb.
The next day we did some shopping. We went to Dilli Haat, a handicraft market. I found the perfect wall hanging. It was another hot day so we sweated and drank lots of water. Brian found some nice gifts for people. Then it was off to Sarojini Nagar, a very crowded market. That is a good India experience. Shoving, yelling, street venders, smells, beggars, and piles of clothes to buy.
On Monday Steve took Brian to the Taj Mahal. They went by train which is only 3 hours. Another fun experience. It rained all day on them. But still the Taj is beautiful.
The best part of the visit was being able to get to know Brian better. It doesn't really matter what we do together, it is just being together that is good.
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