Some how I have managed to get into a routine after being here for less than a week. This is a good thing, even though it sounds a little boring, at least I am sleeping when I’m suppose to be sleeping and eating at somewhat normal times. Please note that “supposed” and “normal” are quite relative terms. I eat “breakfast” at about 3:30 or 4 in the afternoon, lunch around 10-Midnight, and dinner, if I have it at all, when I get home from work around 4 am. But when you are working 6:30 pm – 3:30 am and sleeping from 5:30 am to sometime in the early afternoon, its all about right. Like I said, normal is relative for me these days.
Work has also fallen into a nice routine. It starts with a short, yet exciting, drive to the office. Standing around telling everyone hello and shaking hands with everyone as they come into work. I like this Indian tradition! Its very nice way to be greeted. However, I don’t think this would work back home, we would spend too much time chatting and not just a quick shake! ;-)
After all the greeting, they go to the desk and get ready to get started. This might take them a little bit, but it gives us floor support the chance to check our email and send any communication needed back to the home office, and prepare anything else needed for the day. Around 7:30 or so, the questions start and it can be rather non-stop. But it works, it makes time fly and before you know it one of us realizes that if we don’t hurry up and order dinner we will be eating Indian food and starts throwing around a list for all us American’s to write down our order. Our choices, McDonald’s, Subway, or supposedly Domino’s although we have tried to order this twice with no luck!
Tonight we waited to late and all three were closed so it was Indian for dinner. Two of us like it, but the other three it makes them sick, so I felt kind of bad. They ordered us butter chicken, which was good but not quite as good as the kind I had the other day after the Taj, Creamy Chicken, and Naan of course. They serve Naan with everything! I love it!! And the creamy chicken was also really good! I ended up eating such a big, and late, lunch that I wasn’t even hungry when I got home, so I’m skipping dinner. And all you thought I never missed a meal! Hehehe!
The rest of the night at work is spent in a meeting with folks back home and continuing to answer lots and lots of questions. Then its time to crawl back into our van for the much less exciting ride back to the hotel.
And that is my typical day! I just thought I would share to give you some idea of what its like over here!
With Love,
Eli
Count Down to Home: 54 days…
Friday, November 6, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Day 60: What a Two Months!!
Let’s just take a moment and recap the past two months….
Moved from Tennessee to Kansas. Started blogging. Started attending/working with a new church. Transferred jobs. Counted down for India. Moved buildings at said job. Worked new payors at said job. Made new friends at church. Made new friends at job. Counted down for India. Participated in a scavenger hunt. Attended a coffee night. Started helping Devin in kid’s church. Got lots of shots. Counted down for India. Did lots of packing. Attended several meetings. Shopped till I dropped. Left for India. Saw the Taj Ma Hall. Started yet another job function. Learned to sleep in the day time. Today!
Ok so that was defiantly a moment! But my point is this, these have been a very exciting two months and I have enjoyed my blog time and sharing all the excitement of my life with all of you! I can’t believe it’s only been two months though, it feels like more, but in a good way. Kansas is really feeling like home and I miss it. Not in the miserable way, just in the way one misses home after being gone for awhile, or as in my case, knows they will be gone for awhile.
As for my India adventure, today was a pretty “normal” kind of day. Back to the mall for another trip to KFC for lunch and then off to work. Because my team is doing so well, I didn’t have nearly as many questions today. I guess this is a good thing, but between that and not getting a good night’s sleep last night, it’s been a rough night. McDonald’s for dinner, I miss broccoli, and a meeting were the highlights, but again, I’m so proud of my team and how well they are doing!
Off to sleep, I’m determined to get on a schedule!!
With Love,
Eli
Count Down to Home: 55 days…
Moved from Tennessee to Kansas. Started blogging. Started attending/working with a new church. Transferred jobs. Counted down for India. Moved buildings at said job. Worked new payors at said job. Made new friends at church. Made new friends at job. Counted down for India. Participated in a scavenger hunt. Attended a coffee night. Started helping Devin in kid’s church. Got lots of shots. Counted down for India. Did lots of packing. Attended several meetings. Shopped till I dropped. Left for India. Saw the Taj Ma Hall. Started yet another job function. Learned to sleep in the day time. Today!
Ok so that was defiantly a moment! But my point is this, these have been a very exciting two months and I have enjoyed my blog time and sharing all the excitement of my life with all of you! I can’t believe it’s only been two months though, it feels like more, but in a good way. Kansas is really feeling like home and I miss it. Not in the miserable way, just in the way one misses home after being gone for awhile, or as in my case, knows they will be gone for awhile.
As for my India adventure, today was a pretty “normal” kind of day. Back to the mall for another trip to KFC for lunch and then off to work. Because my team is doing so well, I didn’t have nearly as many questions today. I guess this is a good thing, but between that and not getting a good night’s sleep last night, it’s been a rough night. McDonald’s for dinner, I miss broccoli, and a meeting were the highlights, but again, I’m so proud of my team and how well they are doing!
Off to sleep, I’m determined to get on a schedule!!
With Love,
Eli
Count Down to Home: 55 days…
Day 59: The New Kid
After forcing myself to stay up till 4 am, I was able to sleep till about 2pm. I meet up with my new friends and head back over to the mall for some grub. Today’s food court adventure was a "create your own pasta" place. I have ziti with corn, onions, mushrooms, and red sauce, not to be confused with spaghetti sauce, defiantly not the same thing. It was ok, but defiantly not my favorite.
Once back from my breakfast meal of lunch food eaten at dinner time, I ran upstairs for a cup of coffee. I feel bad that somehow I ended up in this Royal Club room, which allows me access to the lounge with lots of freebies, and no one else does, but I’m so thankful! Otherwise I would be going broke trying to have my cup of coffee every day. Everyone here drinks tea and there is a tea pot, with all kinds of tea, in every room. However, as you all know, this does me no good seeing as I’m allergic to tea. Anyway…
So tonight was the real reason I’m here, to be floor support for Group 8, Wave 3! After the “Go Live” Cake ceremony, which involved eating a piece of some of the most amazing cake, we were off! I spent my night answering questions and showing the employee of our sister company how to navigate our computer system. It was great fun to meet all these new folks and to help each of them excel at their job. I was very impressed with how well they did and hope they can keep up the pace! It was amazing how quickly the time flew by helping each of them! Yay!
I did have a little of a snag with some paperwork back home that I need to try and figure out, so I’m going to have to call it a night, or in this case a morning! ;-)
Until Next Time,
Eli
Count Down to Home: 56 days…
Once back from my breakfast meal of lunch food eaten at dinner time, I ran upstairs for a cup of coffee. I feel bad that somehow I ended up in this Royal Club room, which allows me access to the lounge with lots of freebies, and no one else does, but I’m so thankful! Otherwise I would be going broke trying to have my cup of coffee every day. Everyone here drinks tea and there is a tea pot, with all kinds of tea, in every room. However, as you all know, this does me no good seeing as I’m allergic to tea. Anyway…
So tonight was the real reason I’m here, to be floor support for Group 8, Wave 3! After the “Go Live” Cake ceremony, which involved eating a piece of some of the most amazing cake, we were off! I spent my night answering questions and showing the employee of our sister company how to navigate our computer system. It was great fun to meet all these new folks and to help each of them excel at their job. I was very impressed with how well they did and hope they can keep up the pace! It was amazing how quickly the time flew by helping each of them! Yay!
I did have a little of a snag with some paperwork back home that I need to try and figure out, so I’m going to have to call it a night, or in this case a morning! ;-)
Until Next Time,
Eli
Count Down to Home: 56 days…
Day 58: Is it still Sunday If you don’t go to Church??
Today was quite the odd day for me. The calendar says it’s Sunday, but I didn’t get up till 4 in the afternoon! Sundays are supposed to start early and involve going to Church! LOL!
So this morning, I got up in time to go enjoy some free breakfast. I was up at 10 am, quick shower (I think but honestly I’m not sure) and then down to the main dining room. Evidently I took a picture of my breakfast, it’s on Facebook, but all I remember is staring blankly into space and trying to stay awake. Eventually, I gave up, went back to my room, and slept until around 4 in the afternoon. In my defense, my body thought it was 3:30 am so if you look at it that way, I got up really early! ;-)
Once I was finally up, it was an adventure to the biggest mall I’ve ever been in. Its five stories with more stores than I have ever seen! Unfortunately, there is no India discount; they charge the same amount of money, just in rupees, for things back home. But still, it’s fun to have a mall so close!
Below the mall is the Bazaar, the India version of Wal-Mart. After purchasing lunch upstairs at the food court, who would have thought I would have to travel all the way to India to enjoy KFC, I picked up a few things for my room at the Bazaar. I got some Nutella, several Sprite, a Coke, and some juice. The hotel I’m staying at supplies me with lots of bottled drinking water so I didn’t have to purchase any of that. On the way out of the mall, there is a little gelato stand. I’m in love!! It’s about $0.75 for a small cup!
After hanging out in the lobby of the hotel for quite awhile with the other folks from work, it was off to dinner at the hotels Italian restaurant. It’s kind of funny to eat Italian food in India, but hey, it works!
Over all, today was very relaxing and gave me the chance to get to know several of the other people I’m with in this amazing country. Tomorrow is my first day at work so I should probably get some rest! Have a wonderful evening and know I miss you all!
With Love,
Eli
Count Down to Home: 57 days…
So this morning, I got up in time to go enjoy some free breakfast. I was up at 10 am, quick shower (I think but honestly I’m not sure) and then down to the main dining room. Evidently I took a picture of my breakfast, it’s on Facebook, but all I remember is staring blankly into space and trying to stay awake. Eventually, I gave up, went back to my room, and slept until around 4 in the afternoon. In my defense, my body thought it was 3:30 am so if you look at it that way, I got up really early! ;-)
Once I was finally up, it was an adventure to the biggest mall I’ve ever been in. Its five stories with more stores than I have ever seen! Unfortunately, there is no India discount; they charge the same amount of money, just in rupees, for things back home. But still, it’s fun to have a mall so close!
Below the mall is the Bazaar, the India version of Wal-Mart. After purchasing lunch upstairs at the food court, who would have thought I would have to travel all the way to India to enjoy KFC, I picked up a few things for my room at the Bazaar. I got some Nutella, several Sprite, a Coke, and some juice. The hotel I’m staying at supplies me with lots of bottled drinking water so I didn’t have to purchase any of that. On the way out of the mall, there is a little gelato stand. I’m in love!! It’s about $0.75 for a small cup!
After hanging out in the lobby of the hotel for quite awhile with the other folks from work, it was off to dinner at the hotels Italian restaurant. It’s kind of funny to eat Italian food in India, but hey, it works!
Over all, today was very relaxing and gave me the chance to get to know several of the other people I’m with in this amazing country. Tomorrow is my first day at work so I should probably get some rest! Have a wonderful evening and know I miss you all!
With Love,
Eli
Count Down to Home: 57 days…
Monday, November 2, 2009
Day 57: The Taj
Up way too early this morning since I went to bed at 5:00 am and got up at 7:30 am! I did find a cute little complimentary breakfast lounge with AMAZING coffee. They use a French press instead of an electronic maker and it is outstanding. The lounge overlooks Gurgaon, the suburb of Delhi where work and the hotel are located. Other the serious smog that the day light unveiled, the city is quite pretty. There are lots of very contemporary buildings with very neat structures. It was quite nice to have a meal that didn’t come out of a plastic wrapped airplane container! Even if it was just cheese, fruit, an egg, and some toast! ;-) I love this place!!!
Next, it was downstairs to meet the others. WOW!!! The lobby of the hotel is indescribable with its marble floors, plush furniture, fresh flowers everywhere, and water fountain ponds! I will have to post pictures to show it off!! I meet several of the team in Mumbai that flew up to visit the Taj Ma Hal as well as three others that are here with me in Delhi and two folks from our sister company here in India.
All eleven of us piled into the two vans and began the four hour adventure to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Ma Hal, in Agra, India. I say adventure, because that is exactly what it was. The streets here are about like a driveway back in country and the traffic lanes, laws, and lights are merely a suggestion. Everyone honks constantly. One little honk means “please get out of the way.” Two short honks, “get out of the way.” And if you really lay on the horn, well that means “I’m going to get out of this car if you don’t move.” It’s absolutely in sane!!
Next, it was downstairs to meet the others. WOW!!! The lobby of the hotel is indescribable with its marble floors, plush furniture, fresh flowers everywhere, and water fountain ponds! I will have to post pictures to show it off!! I meet several of the team in Mumbai that flew up to visit the Taj Ma Hal as well as three others that are here with me in Delhi and two folks from our sister company here in India.
All eleven of us piled into the two vans and began the four hour adventure to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Ma Hal, in Agra, India. I say adventure, because that is exactly what it was. The streets here are about like a driveway back in country and the traffic lanes, laws, and lights are merely a suggestion. Everyone honks constantly. One little honk means “please get out of the way.” Two short honks, “get out of the way.” And if you really lay on the horn, well that means “I’m going to get out of this car if you don’t move.” It’s absolutely in sane!!
Day 56: Welcome to India!
After the long flight, it felt so good to get off the plane and stretch my legs. Having my knees shoved in the seat in front of me for 14 hours was soooooooooo much fun, not! All donations to upgrade me to business class on the way home are current being accepted. However, I did get to really stretch my legs while I waited in this crazy long line for a “health check” and to go through customs.
While going through customs, the gentleman kept saying something about “not entered yet.” I was terrified! I thought he was saying my Visa wasn’t any good or something was wrong with my passport. I never did figure out what he was saying, but he waved me through, so I guess it wasn’t too important.
At baggage claim, I must admit, I was concerned. Due to my lack of layover in Chicago, I was so afraid they wouldn’t make it. When I saw my little neon TSA locks, my face broke out in a smile. I had everything and I was off to meet my driver. I felt so special when I came up the ramp to see a sign with Ms. Elizabeth Kroner and the fancy hotel logo! It was even better with my driver beamed at me with the biggest grin, like I was his long lost sister, when I walked towards him! I felt so welcome!!
Once outside of the airport, my nose was overwhelmed with the smell of a bonfire. Only problem, there was no fire. The pollution here is just that bad! The sky is so hazy! Once in the car, it was the roller coaster, I mean ride, to the hotel. The best twist, there was a cow in the middle of the road that we were head straight for. With no breaks involved, we turned right before hitting the poor thing! And the traffic, CRAZY!! I didn’t get out of the airport until around 1 am local time, but the streets were still buzzing!
Once to the hotel, it was serious sensory overload! I was greeted at the door with a traditional well wish and a smudge of war paint on my forehead. I was than whisked away by my personal escort to my living quarters for the next 2 months! When she opened the door, my breath was literally taken away! Real marble and hardwood floors, a rain shower the size of my bathroom back home and bathtub I would have thought I was a swimming pool if I was a few years younger! Not to mention one wall that is completely a window, a blush princess bed and a huge flat screen TV! Too bad I don’t get football over here! Well, not American football, lots of soccer though!
I also got to meet one of my colleges while here, Monica. She is great! Very friendly and reminds me of my Amy a lot!! Now I must sleep! I only have a few hours before it’s up and off to the Taj Ma Hal!!
Sweet Dreams to All!!
Eli
Count Down to Home: 59 days
While going through customs, the gentleman kept saying something about “not entered yet.” I was terrified! I thought he was saying my Visa wasn’t any good or something was wrong with my passport. I never did figure out what he was saying, but he waved me through, so I guess it wasn’t too important.
At baggage claim, I must admit, I was concerned. Due to my lack of layover in Chicago, I was so afraid they wouldn’t make it. When I saw my little neon TSA locks, my face broke out in a smile. I had everything and I was off to meet my driver. I felt so special when I came up the ramp to see a sign with Ms. Elizabeth Kroner and the fancy hotel logo! It was even better with my driver beamed at me with the biggest grin, like I was his long lost sister, when I walked towards him! I felt so welcome!!
Once outside of the airport, my nose was overwhelmed with the smell of a bonfire. Only problem, there was no fire. The pollution here is just that bad! The sky is so hazy! Once in the car, it was the roller coaster, I mean ride, to the hotel. The best twist, there was a cow in the middle of the road that we were head straight for. With no breaks involved, we turned right before hitting the poor thing! And the traffic, CRAZY!! I didn’t get out of the airport until around 1 am local time, but the streets were still buzzing!
Once to the hotel, it was serious sensory overload! I was greeted at the door with a traditional well wish and a smudge of war paint on my forehead. I was than whisked away by my personal escort to my living quarters for the next 2 months! When she opened the door, my breath was literally taken away! Real marble and hardwood floors, a rain shower the size of my bathroom back home and bathtub I would have thought I was a swimming pool if I was a few years younger! Not to mention one wall that is completely a window, a blush princess bed and a huge flat screen TV! Too bad I don’t get football over here! Well, not American football, lots of soccer though!
I also got to meet one of my colleges while here, Monica. She is great! Very friendly and reminds me of my Amy a lot!! Now I must sleep! I only have a few hours before it’s up and off to the Taj Ma Hal!!
Sweet Dreams to All!!
Eli
Count Down to Home: 59 days
Day 55 (official version) Fly, Baby Fly!
This morning started with a wrap up of packing and checking, checking again, and double checking to make sure I have everything I could possibly needed for my month adventure. Devin and I then went to have brunch together before it was time take me to the airport. We went to Mimi’s Café and I enjoyed some of the best quiche I’ve had. It was wonderful, but then again, maybe I was just hungry! ;-)
After a quick trip back to the apartment to potty and put away leftovers, it was off to the Kansas City Airport for the biggest individual adventure of my life to begin. I suppose you could argue that this adventure began back in June or July when I volunteered, but let’s not be technical.
After the 40 minute drive, we arrived at the airport. Devin helped me carry my bags to the ticket counter and walked me to the security check point. Then it was time for a tearfully good bye and a frantic attempt to give each other enough hugs and kisses to last two months.
Security was a breeze and the WiFi was fun. The time flew by as I had to wait my two extra hours for my weather delayed flight thanks to Facebook. The flight to Chicago went by quickly too, but due to my flight from KC being delayed, I only had about 20 minutes to grab a bite to eat and race to the other end of the O’Hare Terminal. I made my flight just in time to board for India! The best part, insert sarcastic tone, we hurry onto the plane; they rush us to our seats, taxi us to the run way, and shut off the engines. Gotta love Chicago’s O’Hare!! After a “short” hour and a half, we were finally cleared for takeoff and the 14 hour flight began.
Surprisingly enough, so far the flight is not so bad. Dinner was edible although not flavorful, but my seat buddy is fantastic! She was born and raised in India but has been in the US for years. She is a wealth of India knowledge!
I guess I should try and sleep a bit! Next post will be from India!!
Eli
After a quick trip back to the apartment to potty and put away leftovers, it was off to the Kansas City Airport for the biggest individual adventure of my life to begin. I suppose you could argue that this adventure began back in June or July when I volunteered, but let’s not be technical.
After the 40 minute drive, we arrived at the airport. Devin helped me carry my bags to the ticket counter and walked me to the security check point. Then it was time for a tearfully good bye and a frantic attempt to give each other enough hugs and kisses to last two months.
Security was a breeze and the WiFi was fun. The time flew by as I had to wait my two extra hours for my weather delayed flight thanks to Facebook. The flight to Chicago went by quickly too, but due to my flight from KC being delayed, I only had about 20 minutes to grab a bite to eat and race to the other end of the O’Hare Terminal. I made my flight just in time to board for India! The best part, insert sarcastic tone, we hurry onto the plane; they rush us to our seats, taxi us to the run way, and shut off the engines. Gotta love Chicago’s O’Hare!! After a “short” hour and a half, we were finally cleared for takeoff and the 14 hour flight began.
Surprisingly enough, so far the flight is not so bad. Dinner was edible although not flavorful, but my seat buddy is fantastic! She was born and raised in India but has been in the US for years. She is a wealth of India knowledge!
I guess I should try and sleep a bit! Next post will be from India!!
Eli
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