Wednesday, November 11
I have celebrated 26 Veteran’s Days in my life, but I think this one is the most special of all. Don’t get me wrong, all the parades and festivities that Col. Beck had us participating in all through high school were fun. And I have always been patriotic and thankful for those that have served. But I am starting to understand exactly what it means to be a native to “The Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave.”
As I sit safely in my lush hotel room, outside the hotel gate there is poverty and crime. There are security guards at every public entrance and mayhem on the streets. While the people here are by no means in the same shape as some of the Communist countries, they don’t seem to have the same freedoms and rights that I have in America. As I’ve said in previous blogs, you really don’t know what you have until it’s on the other side of the world!
I’m not naïve enough to think that the freedoms I have at home are there because of chance or happenstance. It’s because for over 200 years, men and women in the Armed Forces have made the sacrifices necessary to ensure our continued safety and freedom. For that, I dedicate tonight’s blog to each of you. Thank you for serving, thank you for protecting, thank you for your sacrifice!
Eli
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Day 67: Back to Food…
Tuesday, Nov. 10th
Unfortunately today was one of those days like I talked about yesterday where all I seem to have to share is about what I had to eat today! Hang on, the door bell just rang, room service is here ;-)
Ok I’m back! Tonight’s meal, I decided to try the Thai vegetable spring rolls. What can I say; I’m getting a little desperate for some veggies. Not sure if they are any good yet, they are way too hot to try and eat at the moment, so back to the other meals of the day….
Meal one, KFC for the same thing I get each time, well almost same thing. They were out of my cheese crunch with is my usually pick over fries, but I had my “twister” otherwise known as a wrap. I also tried a drink they have here called a virgin sparking Mojito. Basically it is 7-up with lemon wedges and crushed mint leaves. It was really good and quite refreshing!
Meal two, McDonalds, again… I don’t like McDonalds that much in the States, when you get rid of the burger part and don’t even have grilled chicken as an option; it decreases in value even more. But I really shouldn’t complain, for every bite of my Mexican Chicken Wrap that I had, there are at least three beggars down the street that would happily eat that wrap. India really does have a way of bring out ones selfishness and ingratitude.
Meal three, eating those veggie rolls as I type, yummy! They have quite the kick, which I like. They aren’t grease, another plus. And they don’t contain any more chicken!! LOL! I think we might have a room service winner!
Hopefully tomorrow will provide a little more excitement! Until then…
Eli
Countdown to home: 48 days…
Unfortunately today was one of those days like I talked about yesterday where all I seem to have to share is about what I had to eat today! Hang on, the door bell just rang, room service is here ;-)
Ok I’m back! Tonight’s meal, I decided to try the Thai vegetable spring rolls. What can I say; I’m getting a little desperate for some veggies. Not sure if they are any good yet, they are way too hot to try and eat at the moment, so back to the other meals of the day….
Meal one, KFC for the same thing I get each time, well almost same thing. They were out of my cheese crunch with is my usually pick over fries, but I had my “twister” otherwise known as a wrap. I also tried a drink they have here called a virgin sparking Mojito. Basically it is 7-up with lemon wedges and crushed mint leaves. It was really good and quite refreshing!
Meal two, McDonalds, again… I don’t like McDonalds that much in the States, when you get rid of the burger part and don’t even have grilled chicken as an option; it decreases in value even more. But I really shouldn’t complain, for every bite of my Mexican Chicken Wrap that I had, there are at least three beggars down the street that would happily eat that wrap. India really does have a way of bring out ones selfishness and ingratitude.
Meal three, eating those veggie rolls as I type, yummy! They have quite the kick, which I like. They aren’t grease, another plus. And they don’t contain any more chicken!! LOL! I think we might have a room service winner!
Hopefully tomorrow will provide a little more excitement! Until then…
Eli
Countdown to home: 48 days…
Day 66: The Shack
Monday, Nov. 9th
PREFACE: Due to my simple routine Monday – Friday and my incredible amounts of free time to read, I have decided to give book reviews for each of the books I read on this journey. I can’t promise I will get through each of the books in the small library I brought, or that all of them will be worth writing a review. However, if nothing else, this will help my writing skills for the GRE and give me something to write about other that what I had to eat today! ;-)
The first book I have finished since arriving is The Shack by WM. Paul Young. If you are planning on reading it, GO READ IT!! NOW!! If you are not currently planning on reading it, I hope you will change your mind by the time you are finished with this blog! It is a great book!! If you are someone who hates to know anything about a book before you read it, stop here. While I will not be giving the ending away, I don’t want to ruin any surprises. And I’m one of those people so I understand! On to the review…
The story actually beings with the forward, where we meet Mackenize Allen Phillips, Mack for short, the main character, through the eyes of his friend Willie, the writer of Mack’s story. Right away you are drawn to know more and try and figure out what exactly happened to Mack and where exactly his story leads.
Soon enough you find out that Mack’s youngest daughter has been kidnapped and murdered by a serial killer. Her little body is never found and the only clue is her blood stained, tattered dress found on the floor of an old abandon shack. As any father would be, Mack is devastated and destroyed by his lose. As a man who has been through seminary and attends church regularly, he knows the Bible and in general who God is, but by his own admission, he feels himself separating from God after the tragedy. During “The Great Sadness,” he doesn’t think God could truly love him and especially not his beloved daughter to let something like this happen.
Sometime after the loss of his baby, Mack receives a note in his mailbox. The note is in a simple envelope with no return address or mailing address for that matter and simple invites him to come back to the shack and spend a weekend. The note is signed “Papa,” Mack’s wife’s favorite name for God.
Out of sheer curiosity, Mack makes the trip to the shack where his worst nightmare had taken place only months ago. What follows is an amazing illustration of God’s love and desire to have a relationship with each of us. As the Trinity is put into tangible forms and every preconceived notion of God’s physical appearance is thrown to the wind, Mack finds himself face to face with the God of the universe! As Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work in Mack’s live he learns the true meaning of love, relationship, truth, and final forgiveness. As you witness Mack’s journey through each of these, one can’t help but ponder each for yourself.
This book is a beautiful reminder that more than anything God’s love for each of us is awesome, more awesome than the human mind can comprehend. God’s forgiveness is all inclusive and without bounds. And most importantly, God desires an actual relationship with each of us, not just our words or Sunday mornings.
I high recommend this book to anyone or any age. I will not promise an easy read or a light-n-fluffy feel good book either. Nor do I promise this to be devotion or anything beyond a story. But I do promise a book that challenges you too think outside the box and search your heart for what you truly believe.
Overall rating: Five out of Five Stars
Next book: Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
Eli
Countdown to home: 49 days…
PREFACE: Due to my simple routine Monday – Friday and my incredible amounts of free time to read, I have decided to give book reviews for each of the books I read on this journey. I can’t promise I will get through each of the books in the small library I brought, or that all of them will be worth writing a review. However, if nothing else, this will help my writing skills for the GRE and give me something to write about other that what I had to eat today! ;-)
The first book I have finished since arriving is The Shack by WM. Paul Young. If you are planning on reading it, GO READ IT!! NOW!! If you are not currently planning on reading it, I hope you will change your mind by the time you are finished with this blog! It is a great book!! If you are someone who hates to know anything about a book before you read it, stop here. While I will not be giving the ending away, I don’t want to ruin any surprises. And I’m one of those people so I understand! On to the review…
The story actually beings with the forward, where we meet Mackenize Allen Phillips, Mack for short, the main character, through the eyes of his friend Willie, the writer of Mack’s story. Right away you are drawn to know more and try and figure out what exactly happened to Mack and where exactly his story leads.
Soon enough you find out that Mack’s youngest daughter has been kidnapped and murdered by a serial killer. Her little body is never found and the only clue is her blood stained, tattered dress found on the floor of an old abandon shack. As any father would be, Mack is devastated and destroyed by his lose. As a man who has been through seminary and attends church regularly, he knows the Bible and in general who God is, but by his own admission, he feels himself separating from God after the tragedy. During “The Great Sadness,” he doesn’t think God could truly love him and especially not his beloved daughter to let something like this happen.
Sometime after the loss of his baby, Mack receives a note in his mailbox. The note is in a simple envelope with no return address or mailing address for that matter and simple invites him to come back to the shack and spend a weekend. The note is signed “Papa,” Mack’s wife’s favorite name for God.
Out of sheer curiosity, Mack makes the trip to the shack where his worst nightmare had taken place only months ago. What follows is an amazing illustration of God’s love and desire to have a relationship with each of us. As the Trinity is put into tangible forms and every preconceived notion of God’s physical appearance is thrown to the wind, Mack finds himself face to face with the God of the universe! As Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work in Mack’s live he learns the true meaning of love, relationship, truth, and final forgiveness. As you witness Mack’s journey through each of these, one can’t help but ponder each for yourself.
This book is a beautiful reminder that more than anything God’s love for each of us is awesome, more awesome than the human mind can comprehend. God’s forgiveness is all inclusive and without bounds. And most importantly, God desires an actual relationship with each of us, not just our words or Sunday mornings.
I high recommend this book to anyone or any age. I will not promise an easy read or a light-n-fluffy feel good book either. Nor do I promise this to be devotion or anything beyond a story. But I do promise a book that challenges you too think outside the box and search your heart for what you truly believe.
Overall rating: Five out of Five Stars
Next book: Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
Eli
Countdown to home: 49 days…
Monday, November 9, 2009
Day 65: The Life of a Princess
Sunday, November 8
What a day of relaxation and pampering! My day started when I woke without an alarm. After a quick brush of the teeth and throwing on some cloths, I ran upstairs for a quick bite. It pays to befriend the hotel staff. Even though there were only minutes left and they were already cleaning up, my new friend Anikta made sure I had some fresh fruit and hot pancakes and coffee of course!
After breakfast, I came back to my room to be a big ole bum. I took a shower and lay around with a wet head in a plush, fuzzy, white bathrobe for hours. It was lovely! I watched High School Musical 3, a slew of Friends reruns, and part of a Hannah Montana episode. What can I say; TV in English while in India is not in wide variety.
I was finally dragged from my princess lair by my co-workers to head to the market. We were headed to the grocery store, but go side tracked by a mall. After walking around the mall, we realized that it wasn’t worth the trip, but at least it we got some exercise. We went to Spencer’s, which is the local grocery store. I bought some more sprite, a coke, and some snack stuff. I’m quickly realizing how much I need the occasional snack since I typically only have one, maybe two, meals a day. Good thing I brought health snacks with me!
Back at the hotel, it was upstairs to the Italian place. I had fish, asparagus, and risotto. It was tasty! And I was so glad for veggies!! That is one of the many things I’m starting to really miss about home. That and Devin and Church and some many other things….
Now I’m back in the princess liar with my comfy clothes, snuggled in my plush bed watching Father of the Bride! I have to try really hard to stay awake for another three hours so maybe I should be watching Sound of Music instead! ;-)
I suppose I will wrap up this for now and get back to my movie!
Eli
Count Down to Home: 50 days…
What a day of relaxation and pampering! My day started when I woke without an alarm. After a quick brush of the teeth and throwing on some cloths, I ran upstairs for a quick bite. It pays to befriend the hotel staff. Even though there were only minutes left and they were already cleaning up, my new friend Anikta made sure I had some fresh fruit and hot pancakes and coffee of course!
After breakfast, I came back to my room to be a big ole bum. I took a shower and lay around with a wet head in a plush, fuzzy, white bathrobe for hours. It was lovely! I watched High School Musical 3, a slew of Friends reruns, and part of a Hannah Montana episode. What can I say; TV in English while in India is not in wide variety.
I was finally dragged from my princess lair by my co-workers to head to the market. We were headed to the grocery store, but go side tracked by a mall. After walking around the mall, we realized that it wasn’t worth the trip, but at least it we got some exercise. We went to Spencer’s, which is the local grocery store. I bought some more sprite, a coke, and some snack stuff. I’m quickly realizing how much I need the occasional snack since I typically only have one, maybe two, meals a day. Good thing I brought health snacks with me!
Back at the hotel, it was upstairs to the Italian place. I had fish, asparagus, and risotto. It was tasty! And I was so glad for veggies!! That is one of the many things I’m starting to really miss about home. That and Devin and Church and some many other things….
Now I’m back in the princess liar with my comfy clothes, snuggled in my plush bed watching Father of the Bride! I have to try really hard to stay awake for another three hours so maybe I should be watching Sound of Music instead! ;-)
I suppose I will wrap up this for now and get back to my movie!
Eli
Count Down to Home: 50 days…
Day 64: Market Shopping! ‘Nough Said…
Saturday, November 7
I love Saturdays! There is something rather nice about sleeping till you wake up and enjoying a restful day. After staying up way too late last night, or rather this morning, I slept till about 3:30 this afternoon. After grab a granola bar and some cheez-its, I know the breakfast of champions, it was over to the adjacent mall at the atm. The mall on Saturday is worse that Macy’s the day after Thanksgiving. I had to throw some ‘bows just to get to the atm.
After getting my Rs. 2000 (about $50) it was off to meet the others for an evening of market shopping. Talk about crazy fun!! We met up with several of our new local friends to help us with bargaining to help us avoid as much of the “white man tax” as possible. Without them, we would have had a hard time getting the amazing deals that we got! While I wanted one of everything, I was trying to be good! I did get a pair of sunglasses for Rs. 200 (about $4) but I can honestly say I needed them! I have been without sunglasses since I left Kansas and if you know me at all you know that I ALWAYS have my sunglasses!
The others got shoes for Rs. 175, kids drums for Rs. 100, purses for Rs. 100, and a wooden flute for Rs. 10. I can’t wait to go back when I have a little extra money! There are such great deals! And while not everything is quality, most of it seems rather nice! It was a lot of fun to watch Sumjat banter with the salesman for my glasses!! ;-)
After the open market, it was off to the New Delhi Hard Rock Café! It’s been a long time since I’ve been to a night club, but that it totally what this was like. It wasn’t like the Hard Rock Nashville or Atlanta that I have been to before, but I can’t complain! I miss Mexican food so much and I was able to get chicken fajitas’ that were amazing! As much as I like Indian food, it’s always nice to have a taste of home!
Ok well tomorrow is going to be a day full of sightseeing and since I’m supposed to be up by 9 am and it’s currently almost 2 am, I probably should head to bed! Until tomorrow…
Eli
Count Down to Home: 51 days…
I love Saturdays! There is something rather nice about sleeping till you wake up and enjoying a restful day. After staying up way too late last night, or rather this morning, I slept till about 3:30 this afternoon. After grab a granola bar and some cheez-its, I know the breakfast of champions, it was over to the adjacent mall at the atm. The mall on Saturday is worse that Macy’s the day after Thanksgiving. I had to throw some ‘bows just to get to the atm.
After getting my Rs. 2000 (about $50) it was off to meet the others for an evening of market shopping. Talk about crazy fun!! We met up with several of our new local friends to help us with bargaining to help us avoid as much of the “white man tax” as possible. Without them, we would have had a hard time getting the amazing deals that we got! While I wanted one of everything, I was trying to be good! I did get a pair of sunglasses for Rs. 200 (about $4) but I can honestly say I needed them! I have been without sunglasses since I left Kansas and if you know me at all you know that I ALWAYS have my sunglasses!
The others got shoes for Rs. 175, kids drums for Rs. 100, purses for Rs. 100, and a wooden flute for Rs. 10. I can’t wait to go back when I have a little extra money! There are such great deals! And while not everything is quality, most of it seems rather nice! It was a lot of fun to watch Sumjat banter with the salesman for my glasses!! ;-)
After the open market, it was off to the New Delhi Hard Rock Café! It’s been a long time since I’ve been to a night club, but that it totally what this was like. It wasn’t like the Hard Rock Nashville or Atlanta that I have been to before, but I can’t complain! I miss Mexican food so much and I was able to get chicken fajitas’ that were amazing! As much as I like Indian food, it’s always nice to have a taste of home!
Ok well tomorrow is going to be a day full of sightseeing and since I’m supposed to be up by 9 am and it’s currently almost 2 am, I probably should head to bed! Until tomorrow…
Eli
Count Down to Home: 51 days…
Day 63: Everybody Knows Your Name…
Friday, November 6
I made it through week one!! Only seven more to go before I’m headed home. I’m having a great time, but I really miss the hubster and the babies! Not to mention being able to just pick up the phone and call whenever I’m missing a loved one.
My hotel is doing a fantastic job of making me feel as at home as possible. I’ve had a rose left in my room, treats for Halloween, and a dessert when I got home from work tonight! Add to that that walking down the hall sounds that the latest version of “Old to Me” with the chorus of “Hello, Ms. Kroner,” “Good Evening Ms. Kroner,” and “How are you Ms. Kroner.”
Work is similar; just change the Ms. Kroner to Elizabeth. And at work, the hellos and good evenings are quickly replaced with, “Elizabeth, small query,” and “Elizabeth, quick, real quick, query.” It’s so cute! I love it!
There is a downside to such familiarity. Everyone seems to know my name, but there are so many that I don’t know yet. I’m trying to learn names of both the folks at the office and the staff at the hotel, but it’s so difficult. I hate asking their names again and again, but they are so different from the names I’ve grown up around so I have trouble pronouncing them correctly. But at least I’m trying! That has to count for something!
Ok well I’m off to bed!
Eli
Count Down to Home: 52 days…
I made it through week one!! Only seven more to go before I’m headed home. I’m having a great time, but I really miss the hubster and the babies! Not to mention being able to just pick up the phone and call whenever I’m missing a loved one.
My hotel is doing a fantastic job of making me feel as at home as possible. I’ve had a rose left in my room, treats for Halloween, and a dessert when I got home from work tonight! Add to that that walking down the hall sounds that the latest version of “Old to Me” with the chorus of “Hello, Ms. Kroner,” “Good Evening Ms. Kroner,” and “How are you Ms. Kroner.”
Work is similar; just change the Ms. Kroner to Elizabeth. And at work, the hellos and good evenings are quickly replaced with, “Elizabeth, small query,” and “Elizabeth, quick, real quick, query.” It’s so cute! I love it!
There is a downside to such familiarity. Everyone seems to know my name, but there are so many that I don’t know yet. I’m trying to learn names of both the folks at the office and the staff at the hotel, but it’s so difficult. I hate asking their names again and again, but they are so different from the names I’ve grown up around so I have trouble pronouncing them correctly. But at least I’m trying! That has to count for something!
Ok well I’m off to bed!
Eli
Count Down to Home: 52 days…
Day 62: Pizza! Pizza!
Thursday, November 5
Today was another routine kind of day. My “morning” was spent ordering room service for lunch and hanging out at my little coffee joint upstairs until it was time for work. I ordered the chicken Caesar salad. It was quite tasty and they put the dressing on the side so it was totally drenched like is sometimes the case for with a Caesar salad. I was so thankful for some veggies that I could have eaten it without any dressing!
After a truly relaxing afternoon, it was off to work. It was so funny, I wore a jacket and put my hair up since I had been too busy relaxing to actually wash and fix it, and I had so many people tell me how much they loved my “up-do” and how pretty I looked. It was interesting seeing as I had literally thrown myself together. Maybe I should have a lazy day a little more often! I felt like a superstar! ;-)
Work itself was rather uneventful, following the same routine that the first three did. The only exception, after last night’s dinner we were determined to order in time. We thought we would give pizza a chance. We got it ordered in time and man was it delicious! Ok, so no, it was not Aunt Jane’s homemade, but it tasted of home and warm familiarity! It really is true that sometimes we need to have things taken away to know what we are really missing!! ;-) Who knew that would apply to pizza! Hahaha!
Overall, today was quite the relaxing day! While I know this isn’t the most exciting blog to be read, hopefully it has shown you that I am ok and doing well. I looking forward to coming home, but I’m enjoying myself and having the experience of a life time!
Have a great night!!
Eli
Count Down to Home: 53 days…
Today was another routine kind of day. My “morning” was spent ordering room service for lunch and hanging out at my little coffee joint upstairs until it was time for work. I ordered the chicken Caesar salad. It was quite tasty and they put the dressing on the side so it was totally drenched like is sometimes the case for with a Caesar salad. I was so thankful for some veggies that I could have eaten it without any dressing!
After a truly relaxing afternoon, it was off to work. It was so funny, I wore a jacket and put my hair up since I had been too busy relaxing to actually wash and fix it, and I had so many people tell me how much they loved my “up-do” and how pretty I looked. It was interesting seeing as I had literally thrown myself together. Maybe I should have a lazy day a little more often! I felt like a superstar! ;-)
Work itself was rather uneventful, following the same routine that the first three did. The only exception, after last night’s dinner we were determined to order in time. We thought we would give pizza a chance. We got it ordered in time and man was it delicious! Ok, so no, it was not Aunt Jane’s homemade, but it tasted of home and warm familiarity! It really is true that sometimes we need to have things taken away to know what we are really missing!! ;-) Who knew that would apply to pizza! Hahaha!
Overall, today was quite the relaxing day! While I know this isn’t the most exciting blog to be read, hopefully it has shown you that I am ok and doing well. I looking forward to coming home, but I’m enjoying myself and having the experience of a life time!
Have a great night!!
Eli
Count Down to Home: 53 days…
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