Thanksgiving

We were unsure what to expect for Thanksgiving since it is really a true American holiday.  It seems that most people know about Thanksgiving.  They have no idea how it originated but everyone seems to know it as a holiday where Americans eat a lot and then shop the next day.  There are several restaurants in Bangalore which serve special Thanksgiving dinners.  We decided that since the kids had school to eat in and so we ordered a turkey and ham dinner and joined with another American family in the neighborhood to celebrate.  There were only 7 of us at dinner and we had enough food for at least 20 with appetizers and 3 desserts, so a typical Thanksgiving dinner.

It was a great time and we all had to tell 3 things we were thankful for and it had to be related to moving to India.  My oldest went first and said he was thankful for a good cook, good maid and good driver.  Can't say I disagree with him.  Having people to help during this very big adjustment has been great.  My youngest was thankful for the food we have to eat and the nice house we live in, however, unlike in the Texas, he seemed to truly be thankful.  He was also thankful for new friends he has met. Ken was thankful that he does not live in the village behind our house, that he does not live near the train (inside joke . The people we were with live near a train while we live near a Mosque with very loud prayers many times a day) and for the good friends we have made.  I agreed with N about the good cook, B and Ken about the friends (especially those we had Thanksgiving with) and I was also thankful for all the places and experiences we will get to have  by accepting the assignment   We went to London and Paris on the way here, we plan to go to Hong Kong and Taiwan over the winter break, the Taj Mahal in February, Goa in March and some local trips driving distance over weekends.  That is all in our first nine months.  Then I get to plan the summer and next years trips.  Our savings may be depleted when we get back but we will have some great memories.  

Diwali Ceremony.

There is an upcoming holiday called Diwali.  It has been described as Christmas, New Years and Independence Day all rolled into one.  There is lots of celebrations, lights, time to give gifts, and  fireworks galore.  I am trying to figure it all out but it is really not easy.  The school did a big Diwali Mela which was lots of fun.  The PTA brought in food vendors to serve "street food" to the parents and sell gifts items.  The primary students did dances, plays, puppets and songs for the season.  There was a fashion show and a lighting ceremony.  All the children were in traditional Indian cloths and it was all beautiful.  The boys and I all enjoyed the day and B, my 9 yr. old, seems to have really grasped some of the stories and has been trying to explain them to us.  The actual holiday is on Tuesday so the boys have three days off school.  We are still unpacking and sorting but hopefully we will be done before the boys return to school.   (I stopped here and finished after Diwali).

We have now attended 2 Diwali parties.  One was part of the Overseas Women's Club and it cost about $80 USD per person and the event is a fundraiser for charities the organization supports.  There was a silent auctions with some entertainment followed by a fashion show, dinner and dancing.  It was fun but not as nice as the party the night before.  That was a party thrown by the owner of the school my children attend and was free.  That night started with an open bar, followed by appetizer's served while we watched dancer from England and acrobats from Africa.  Ken was pulled on stage and helped the acrobats.  Then the teachers and staff were part of a raffle for great prizes.  The top prize was an Ipad and new Iphone 5. About 15 teachers out of the 87 won great prizes.  Then there was dancing and a buffet dinner.  I think it was probably one of the best parties I have ever attended.  Will make sure I attend it again next year.

India Night at the school with a friend. 

Ken on stage with the acrobats

Ken after the show with the acrobats

India Night at OWC.  My first time in a Saree

Now the boys' favorite part of Diwali was the fireworks.  For two nights we lit bottle rockets, sparkler and they had cap guns.  B thought it was the best thing ever.  People had fireworks similar to a professional show in the USA and were firing them in the neighborhood.  One misfired and about hit a house.  Very dangerous but very fun.  However I will be posting a full entry on the dangers of India.

Sea Shipment Arrives

Our items arrived in Bangalore about two weeks ago and after a lot of waiting for paperwork to get finished we finally received our shipment.  We have a few items that were broken but the only item that we can not easily replace in India is my Crockpot.   It is amazing how much stuff was in our shipment and we still have things stored in the USA.  Some items I am very glad we brought but some I now realize how useless it is to have.

I am very glad I purchased items people suggested like metal trash cans with lids, a lot of paper products, toiletries and kitchen items as they are triple the cost here and of much lower quality.  I love being able to sleep in my own bed again and I am thrilled to have our pictures here to hang on the wall and help the house feel like home.  However, we have two or three times the number of towels and rags we need and my 9 year old, B, has waaaaaay more toys than he needs and the kitchen is over flowing in cups and specialty cookware items.   Living in this house with rented furniture has really helped us all understand how much less we really need to be comfortable.

I think my 11 year old, N, learned the " less is more" lesson before we left as all he brought was his bed, a desk, clothes, a few favorite toys, his laptop, 4 posters (one is the serenity prayer and one is a poster of all the USA presidents), and a book case full of books.  His room is the only place in the house that is completely finished setting back up, unless you count the fact he has asked for another book case as his is now completely full of books.

After an enlightening experience for B yesterday, he decided he should give away some of his toys.  He was sitting at the table doing homework when someone came to the door.  He answered the door with me and saw a little boy, about his size, delivering the ironing.  I had him get the money and pay the child for the work and we gave him a few extra rupees.  The boy was visibly excited to have the tip which amounts to less than a dime.  We talked about how this boys parents did the ironing while the child went to school during the day and the boy had to help with the family business by delivering the clothes each evening.  If the boy did not do his part, the family may not have enough to eat.  He decided then and there, he had to make a box of toys to give to kids who have so much less than he.  He wants to have the first toy go to the delivery boy when he comes next week.  Who knows if he will actually follow through on this good intention but at least he is thinking about these issues and maybe it will help him in life.  We really don't need so many items to be happy.