Sunday, January 24
You know how when you are on a cruise, you never know who you might end up sitting next to at breakfast? Well, that was this morning at the hotel. Last night was the hotel’s grand opening and there was a GREAT party that lasted well after I went to bed at 3 am, so the hotel was booked to full capacity last night. Making the breakfast buffet this morning also packed.
When Dorreen and I met up for a bite before another day of shopping, there was only one table available and it was really for about eight people. Dorreen and I were sat on one end, another lady on the other, and a gentleman in the center. Pretty soon, the four of us were chatting it up.
The lady was from Germany and is traveling all over India for work. She works for a Germany car company called Continental. I’ve never heard of it, but didn’t mention that part to her. The rest of her collogues had gone to the Taj today, but she wasn’t feeling a 100% after the party last night and opted to stay at the hotel.
The gentleman, who is also from the States, Chicago to be exact, is here for work too. His collogues had gone to the Taj as well and he stayed behind. He was an interesting fellow and after a few minutes told us he was a bus door salesman AND India has a huge market for bus doors! I about shot coffee out my nose trying to not laugh. I mean, really, just the doors?? I wanted to ask what there slogan was, “You bring the bus, we got your door” or “Fold’em, Roll’em, Open’em wide?”
After breakfast, we went to go to Delhi Haat, a craft fair sort of market. The whole way there we were looking at the buses to see if we saw ones that needed doors. Actually, it seems there might be a market for bus doors. We didn’t see very many buses that still had doors. Now the question is, do his bus doors come in “extremely dented” so they match the rest of the bus?
Ok well only two more weeks to a I get on plane! Until tomorrow…
With Love,
Eli
Countdown to Home: 15 days…
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Day 141: A Shirt Full of Sunglasses
Saturday, January 23
Well today was an adventure as every shopping trip is! We went to another open market place that I haven’t been to before. I would tell you the name of it, but seeming as Dorreen and I refer to it as “the market that starts with S and ends in nagar” that really isn’t an option!
I was able to get a few good deals on some jewelry and other souvenirs. I bought Devin a “real” (I doubt it) Italian leather belt for Rs. 100. I didn’t real plan on getting one, but when I got him down from Rs. 600, it seemed wrong to just walk away. Plus, it really is a nice belt, even if I don’t believe it to be really from Italy. The best moment of the day came about mid day however.
Unfortunately, an easy way to make a few extra bucks is to steal goods from an actual vendor and sell them to passerbies. And of course since you didn’t have to pay for them, anything is a profit. Now, if I could have shaken my morals, I could have walked away with a killer deal!
Anyway, Payal and Doreen were looking in a stall at some jewelry. I wasn’t really interested and it was pretty crowded, so I was just standing outside people watching. This guy walks up to me, looking in both directions as he did, and drops his eyes to his side. I follow his gaze out of sheer curiosity to see a very nice pair of Ray-ban’s. Based on the way he was acting, I was pretty certain he had jacked them from some else. So I asked him, “Who’d you steal those from?” He laughed and continued showing me all the great attributes of the sunglasses. I’m not expert, but I’m 95% sure they were actual Ray-bans and not a knockoff.
I couldn’t really just walk away and leave my friends, and he wasn’t scary or pushy so I let him show them to me. Honestly, they looked pretty nice, but again those darn morals got in the way, even when he came all the way down to Rs. 150 (~$3). I started looking for a way to get out, so I pointed at my glasses on my head and said I don’t need another pair. I’m not sure what he thought I was saying, but the next thing I know, the man was lifting up his shirt and pulling out a whole bunch of different shapes and colors! And this whole time I thought he just had a little middle age belly going on!
At this point, I lost it and began laughing so hard I think the entire market shut down for a second to figure out what was wrong with the crazy American! Here I thought he had jacked a pair or two and was trying to make a quick buck. The next thing I know he is pulling out different styles from everywhere. He didn’t steal a pair, she ripped off an entire store!
Anyway, while I did buy lots of different things, stolen sunglasses was not one of them!
With Love,
Eli
Countdown to Home: 16 days…
Well today was an adventure as every shopping trip is! We went to another open market place that I haven’t been to before. I would tell you the name of it, but seeming as Dorreen and I refer to it as “the market that starts with S and ends in nagar” that really isn’t an option!
I was able to get a few good deals on some jewelry and other souvenirs. I bought Devin a “real” (I doubt it) Italian leather belt for Rs. 100. I didn’t real plan on getting one, but when I got him down from Rs. 600, it seemed wrong to just walk away. Plus, it really is a nice belt, even if I don’t believe it to be really from Italy. The best moment of the day came about mid day however.
Unfortunately, an easy way to make a few extra bucks is to steal goods from an actual vendor and sell them to passerbies. And of course since you didn’t have to pay for them, anything is a profit. Now, if I could have shaken my morals, I could have walked away with a killer deal!
Anyway, Payal and Doreen were looking in a stall at some jewelry. I wasn’t really interested and it was pretty crowded, so I was just standing outside people watching. This guy walks up to me, looking in both directions as he did, and drops his eyes to his side. I follow his gaze out of sheer curiosity to see a very nice pair of Ray-ban’s. Based on the way he was acting, I was pretty certain he had jacked them from some else. So I asked him, “Who’d you steal those from?” He laughed and continued showing me all the great attributes of the sunglasses. I’m not expert, but I’m 95% sure they were actual Ray-bans and not a knockoff.
I couldn’t really just walk away and leave my friends, and he wasn’t scary or pushy so I let him show them to me. Honestly, they looked pretty nice, but again those darn morals got in the way, even when he came all the way down to Rs. 150 (~$3). I started looking for a way to get out, so I pointed at my glasses on my head and said I don’t need another pair. I’m not sure what he thought I was saying, but the next thing I know, the man was lifting up his shirt and pulling out a whole bunch of different shapes and colors! And this whole time I thought he just had a little middle age belly going on!
At this point, I lost it and began laughing so hard I think the entire market shut down for a second to figure out what was wrong with the crazy American! Here I thought he had jacked a pair or two and was trying to make a quick buck. The next thing I know he is pulling out different styles from everywhere. He didn’t steal a pair, she ripped off an entire store!
Anyway, while I did buy lots of different things, stolen sunglasses was not one of them!
With Love,
Eli
Countdown to Home: 16 days…
Day 140: Two Down, Two to Go
Friday, January 22
Well, I made it through week two! The kids are making great progress and asking good questions. I’m really proud of how far they have come in these past two weeks. When we first went live, I was truly concerned that four weeks was not going to be enough time for floor support. However, now that we are halfway through our time together, I think they will be ok.
After work, two of my co-workers headed to the mountains for the weekend. I was invited of course, and wish I could have gone, but I wanted to go get some shopping done and I’m running out of weekends. Plus, it would be a lot of hours in a car and I’m not so good with curvy mountain roads. So I decided to stay behind.
Tomorrow I’ll be going shopping with a couple other coworkers and that should be fun. I have a whole list of things I would like to pickup. And of course I’m looking forward to haggling down to the price I want to pay. Oh I’ll miss that back in the States! Anyone think I could start a trend at Target? Hehehe!
Ok well, I’m out for tonight, I’ve got an early day tomorrow!
With Love,
Eli
Countdown to Home: 17 days… Getting Excited!
Well, I made it through week two! The kids are making great progress and asking good questions. I’m really proud of how far they have come in these past two weeks. When we first went live, I was truly concerned that four weeks was not going to be enough time for floor support. However, now that we are halfway through our time together, I think they will be ok.
After work, two of my co-workers headed to the mountains for the weekend. I was invited of course, and wish I could have gone, but I wanted to go get some shopping done and I’m running out of weekends. Plus, it would be a lot of hours in a car and I’m not so good with curvy mountain roads. So I decided to stay behind.
Tomorrow I’ll be going shopping with a couple other coworkers and that should be fun. I have a whole list of things I would like to pickup. And of course I’m looking forward to haggling down to the price I want to pay. Oh I’ll miss that back in the States! Anyone think I could start a trend at Target? Hehehe!
Ok well, I’m out for tonight, I’ve got an early day tomorrow!
With Love,
Eli
Countdown to Home: 17 days… Getting Excited!
Day 139: Things I’m looking forward to coming home to…
Thursday, January 21
So it seems that making top ten lists are my new favorite thing to blog about. Just call me Letterman and enjoy! ;-)
10) My own desk! As silly as this might sound to some people, I love working. As much as I love training all day, I miss getting my hands on something. I miss the sense of accomplishment that comes from having a mile long to-do list and crossing it all off one by one.
9) Giving back my Blackberry! I know my husband will be disappointed to hear this, I’m pretty sure he thought I would come home so addicted I would agree to get them for us! No such luck! I spend entirely too much time on Facebook and email because of this thing! LOL!
8) Driving! Don’t get me wrong, all the catnaps in the car as someone else drives is nice. But I look forward to being a little safer, I mean slower, in control of my own travel experience. I also look forward to being able to control the temperature in my car! Oh and driving on the correct side of the rode…
7) Biscuits! Ok actually this one comes as a surprise to me as well. Seeing as I don’t really eat biscuits that often at home, who would have thought I’d miss them this much! But, when there is no way, no substitute, nothing similar, a small craving turns into a burning need faster than you thought possible! Plus, I didn’t get my fix at Christmas and I’m not going to make it eleven more months till my next Christmas breakfast!
6) The rest of my cloths! I’m so sick of wearing the same cloths. I want my huge closet full of all different clothes in prints and colors. I look forward to have more than four pairs of shoes to choose from too. And even though I always the same earrings and necklace, I look forward to the choice to wear some of my other jewelry!
5) My phone! I miss being able to pick up the phone whenever I want to call whoever I want. I miss being reachable by all my family and friends too. Oh and I miss text messages! And the simplicity of a phone that is just a phone!
4) Mexican food! Bring on the tacos, fajitas, burritos, chips, and salsa! For a food type that I would typically have some form of once a week at home, I miss it! While Indian food defiantly has the spice I love so much, the curry just isn’t the same as good ole cumin and chili powder!
3) Brooks and Addy! I miss my sweet puppies so much! I can’t wait to take them for walks, play ball, and just love on them as we snuggle on the couch. They are so sweet and now that they are over a year old and will have spent three months with Grandma Dee, the trainer, let’s just hope they are a little better behaved. (Devin's note- a 'little' better is the key word here...)
2) Friends and Church! I miss my church family! I miss being in the Lord’s house and worshipping with fellow believers. I can’t wait to see all my friends that God has blessed me with in KS. They have all been so supportive and taken such good care of my hubby. I can’t wait to catch up and hang out!
1) Devin! Really, did you think anything else would be number one! ;-) I can’t wait to be back in the arms of the world’s most amazing man!
With Love,
Eli
Countdown to Home: 18 days… Whoa!!
So it seems that making top ten lists are my new favorite thing to blog about. Just call me Letterman and enjoy! ;-)
10) My own desk! As silly as this might sound to some people, I love working. As much as I love training all day, I miss getting my hands on something. I miss the sense of accomplishment that comes from having a mile long to-do list and crossing it all off one by one.
9) Giving back my Blackberry! I know my husband will be disappointed to hear this, I’m pretty sure he thought I would come home so addicted I would agree to get them for us! No such luck! I spend entirely too much time on Facebook and email because of this thing! LOL!
8) Driving! Don’t get me wrong, all the catnaps in the car as someone else drives is nice. But I look forward to being a little safer, I mean slower, in control of my own travel experience. I also look forward to being able to control the temperature in my car! Oh and driving on the correct side of the rode…
7) Biscuits! Ok actually this one comes as a surprise to me as well. Seeing as I don’t really eat biscuits that often at home, who would have thought I’d miss them this much! But, when there is no way, no substitute, nothing similar, a small craving turns into a burning need faster than you thought possible! Plus, I didn’t get my fix at Christmas and I’m not going to make it eleven more months till my next Christmas breakfast!
6) The rest of my cloths! I’m so sick of wearing the same cloths. I want my huge closet full of all different clothes in prints and colors. I look forward to have more than four pairs of shoes to choose from too. And even though I always the same earrings and necklace, I look forward to the choice to wear some of my other jewelry!
5) My phone! I miss being able to pick up the phone whenever I want to call whoever I want. I miss being reachable by all my family and friends too. Oh and I miss text messages! And the simplicity of a phone that is just a phone!
4) Mexican food! Bring on the tacos, fajitas, burritos, chips, and salsa! For a food type that I would typically have some form of once a week at home, I miss it! While Indian food defiantly has the spice I love so much, the curry just isn’t the same as good ole cumin and chili powder!
3) Brooks and Addy! I miss my sweet puppies so much! I can’t wait to take them for walks, play ball, and just love on them as we snuggle on the couch. They are so sweet and now that they are over a year old and will have spent three months with Grandma Dee, the trainer, let’s just hope they are a little better behaved. (Devin's note- a 'little' better is the key word here...)
2) Friends and Church! I miss my church family! I miss being in the Lord’s house and worshipping with fellow believers. I can’t wait to see all my friends that God has blessed me with in KS. They have all been so supportive and taken such good care of my hubby. I can’t wait to catch up and hang out!
1) Devin! Really, did you think anything else would be number one! ;-) I can’t wait to be back in the arms of the world’s most amazing man!
With Love,
Eli
Countdown to Home: 18 days… Whoa!!
Day 138: A Thousand Tomorrows
Wednesday, January 20
I love Karen Kingsbury! Big surprise I know, LOL! Anyway, I just finished my latest reading endeavor, A Thousand Tomorrows by Kingsbury and as expected, I loved it!
While the Rodeo has never been a huge point of interest for me, I found myself totally captivated by the story of Cody Gunner as he deals with the angry he’s had since he was a little kid watching his daddy drive away forever by lasting eight seconds on the back of a deadly beast. Cody uses his built up anger to become one of the best in professional bull riding, but no one really knows him. He keeps everyone at arm’s length, much like barrel racer, Ali Daniels.
Ali has her own secret in the rodeo arena. She too doesn’t get close to anyone and spends most of her time with her horse, Ace, or in her trailer with her mom. She is at the top of her game much like Cody and has no intention of letting anything change that.
A Thousand Tomorrows is the story of these two loners finding a friendship that blossoms in to so much more than either of them every thought their life could include. While this is no doubt a love story, it is by no means only a love story. Kingsbury does a great job showing the importance of forgiveness and acceptance, as well as meaningful friendships and trusting in God’s plan.
Unlike many of Kingsbury’s books, this one doesn’t have any scripture references, which is one of the things I love best about her books. But even without those, she does a wonderful job bringing Godly truths in a more subtle way. Yet again, Kingsbury knocks it out of the park for me!
With Love,
Eli
PS Happy Birthday Amy Lynn! I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for your big 3 - 0! I love you so much though!!
Countdown to Home: 19 days…
I love Karen Kingsbury! Big surprise I know, LOL! Anyway, I just finished my latest reading endeavor, A Thousand Tomorrows by Kingsbury and as expected, I loved it!
While the Rodeo has never been a huge point of interest for me, I found myself totally captivated by the story of Cody Gunner as he deals with the angry he’s had since he was a little kid watching his daddy drive away forever by lasting eight seconds on the back of a deadly beast. Cody uses his built up anger to become one of the best in professional bull riding, but no one really knows him. He keeps everyone at arm’s length, much like barrel racer, Ali Daniels.
Ali has her own secret in the rodeo arena. She too doesn’t get close to anyone and spends most of her time with her horse, Ace, or in her trailer with her mom. She is at the top of her game much like Cody and has no intention of letting anything change that.
A Thousand Tomorrows is the story of these two loners finding a friendship that blossoms in to so much more than either of them every thought their life could include. While this is no doubt a love story, it is by no means only a love story. Kingsbury does a great job showing the importance of forgiveness and acceptance, as well as meaningful friendships and trusting in God’s plan.
Unlike many of Kingsbury’s books, this one doesn’t have any scripture references, which is one of the things I love best about her books. But even without those, she does a wonderful job bringing Godly truths in a more subtle way. Yet again, Kingsbury knocks it out of the park for me!
With Love,
Eli
PS Happy Birthday Amy Lynn! I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for your big 3 - 0! I love you so much though!!
Countdown to Home: 19 days…
Day 137: Just when I thought it couldn’t get worse….
Tuesday, January 19
The fog was even worse tonight than it was last night! YIKES! I beat we say 20 cars parked on the side of the road with their flashers on. I’m not sure how the driver was able to continue, I was scared to death! It took about four times as long to get home tonight in comparison to the average night. I’m so ready for the crazy fog to go away. Really, the air is so thick you have to drink to get any oxygen! Enough about the nasty fog….
So my day was pretty much the normal kind of day I’ve gotten used to having. I spent my workday racing around, answering questions, explaining workaids, and trying to ensure everything is being done to company standards. I think I ended up with about 25 emails throughout the day about different payors, getting clarification about how they should be worked.
Luckily, I’m actually floor support for my old billing center in Jackson, and since this is the process that I do back home, I know a little bit about some of the payors. It helps, but for every payor I know, there are at least 5 I don’t. It’s a process and I’m learning as much as the folks here, so it’s a good thing I suppose.
I still haven’t heard about the promotion I put in for. As of the last time I checked, they had not made a decision and would let me know either way. That was about three weeks ago, so I’m trying to decided if I should check back again. I don’t want to be a nuisance, but I’m so ready to know one way or the other! LOL! I think I’ll sit tight for a bit longer, maybe I’ll hear something tomorrow! We shall see…
With Love,
Eli
Countdown to Home: 20 days…
The fog was even worse tonight than it was last night! YIKES! I beat we say 20 cars parked on the side of the road with their flashers on. I’m not sure how the driver was able to continue, I was scared to death! It took about four times as long to get home tonight in comparison to the average night. I’m so ready for the crazy fog to go away. Really, the air is so thick you have to drink to get any oxygen! Enough about the nasty fog….
So my day was pretty much the normal kind of day I’ve gotten used to having. I spent my workday racing around, answering questions, explaining workaids, and trying to ensure everything is being done to company standards. I think I ended up with about 25 emails throughout the day about different payors, getting clarification about how they should be worked.
Luckily, I’m actually floor support for my old billing center in Jackson, and since this is the process that I do back home, I know a little bit about some of the payors. It helps, but for every payor I know, there are at least 5 I don’t. It’s a process and I’m learning as much as the folks here, so it’s a good thing I suppose.
I still haven’t heard about the promotion I put in for. As of the last time I checked, they had not made a decision and would let me know either way. That was about three weeks ago, so I’m trying to decided if I should check back again. I don’t want to be a nuisance, but I’m so ready to know one way or the other! LOL! I think I’ll sit tight for a bit longer, maybe I’ll hear something tomorrow! We shall see…
With Love,
Eli
Countdown to Home: 20 days…
Day 136: Fog, Fog Go Away (A 'lost' Blog)
Monday, January 18
And don’t come back any time soon! No really, the fog season here is CRAZY! It is so foggy when we leave work most nights that you can’t see three feet in front of you. I give it to the drivers; they seem to be use to it and are able to get us safely back to the hotel. They go slow, turn on their flashers, and have the route memorized. I would stay home if it meant I had to drive in this nonsense!
The fog is what delayed Devin’s flight so much, but I’m being told that fog season is ending now and my flight should not be a problem. Cross your fingers this will be the case! While an extra night in India won’t be so bad, sleeping in the airport is not how I would like to start my long journey home.
Speaking of coming home, three weeks from right now I should be sitting in the Chicago airport, waiting to board my plane to home sweet home. As much as I’m ready to be back in my house, with my hubby and puppies, and drive my car to my office, I have made so many amazing friends. I’m really not looking forward to the goodbyes. Goodbyes are not a strong point for me. In fact, I pretty much stink at them!
Well, I think I’m going to call it a blog. I have a grilled cheese sandwich waiting to be eaten and a good book ready to be read. Until tomorrow…
With Love,
Eli
Countdown to Home: 21 days…
And don’t come back any time soon! No really, the fog season here is CRAZY! It is so foggy when we leave work most nights that you can’t see three feet in front of you. I give it to the drivers; they seem to be use to it and are able to get us safely back to the hotel. They go slow, turn on their flashers, and have the route memorized. I would stay home if it meant I had to drive in this nonsense!
The fog is what delayed Devin’s flight so much, but I’m being told that fog season is ending now and my flight should not be a problem. Cross your fingers this will be the case! While an extra night in India won’t be so bad, sleeping in the airport is not how I would like to start my long journey home.
Speaking of coming home, three weeks from right now I should be sitting in the Chicago airport, waiting to board my plane to home sweet home. As much as I’m ready to be back in my house, with my hubby and puppies, and drive my car to my office, I have made so many amazing friends. I’m really not looking forward to the goodbyes. Goodbyes are not a strong point for me. In fact, I pretty much stink at them!
Well, I think I’m going to call it a blog. I have a grilled cheese sandwich waiting to be eaten and a good book ready to be read. Until tomorrow…
With Love,
Eli
Countdown to Home: 21 days…
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)