DO YOUR CHILDREN KNOW WHY YOU CELEBRATE?

It's a weird phenomenon, living outside of your home country.  Major holidays come and go, without a hint of their arrival on the tv, radio or from friends.

Another reason I've realized that holidays go by virtually unannounced is because the grocery stores don't have entire aisles dedicated to the upcoming holiday.

It's strange, really.

We all seem to forget when Memorial Day is, say "really???" when someone mentions Valentine's Day and thank goodness that the American Embassy School recognizes President's Day!

It almost feels that the only reason we DO know when an American holiday comes up is either when Facebook Friends start posting about their plans, or when the American Community Support Association (ACSA Club for short) holds an event, themed for such a holiday.

I always get a bit melancholy when I read blogs with recipes for Labor Day weekend, crafts for 4th of July and gratitude projects for Thanksgiving. Not that I would have made those crafts, started those projects or rushed out to buy the ingredients for those recipes, but since it doesn't feel remotely normal to celebrate those holidays here in India, we've almost decided to not bother at all.

But the flip side of this is that we experience the fun festivals like Holi and Diwali, not to mention the burning of the effigies during Dussehra/Navatri. Rakhi is another favorite

I just wonder what happens when we do return to the United States ... will we have to reteach our kiddos about these holidays and traditions?  Is it a "parenting fail" that they are missing out on family time with low country boils, ringing the dinner bell before Thanksgiving, making snowmen the day of Christmas, or snow ice cream with egg nog on New Years Day?

Or here's an "out there" thought for you ... imagine we had never left the United States to begin with.  Just because our littles continued celebrating these holidays year after year while we had a five digit zip code doesn't mean they understand WHY our nation celebrates.  I'm not sure ANY of our three kids know the true reason behind Labor Day, Memorial Day, even 4th of July (as much as that makes me cringe).  

Do American children really understand the history of our country and the remembrance activities and traditions that have been started as a result?

Do our children know why my mother's side of the family always read that chapter from Luke before opening presents on Christmas Eve (or the chinese food for dinner that night)?  Do they get the meaning behind the festivals that hearken the beginning of summer (complete with foot races, hot air balloons and carnies galore) ?  Do they truly understand why mama gets chills when the Blue Angels fly in formation at the air show?

What is our responsibility as parents (regardless of where you are living) to instill and continue tradition, establish and introduce new celebrations ... and provide an explanation ?

As usual when I write a post, I feel as though I am aimlessly rambling, so I will leave my thoughts here ... what do you think?  I'm asking seriously and would welcome thoughts and a discussion!!  

Do you talk about the "WHY" behind your celebrations?

(by the way, I kind of am loving the fact that when I googled "celebrations" for an image for this post, a photo of holi was right there on the first page!)

SUMMER LISTS

Do you know about the summer list craze?  

The first I ever knew about was Meg's ... over at Whatever ... HERS ROCK!

The rest of these rock as well ...

Centsational Girl ... Pink and Green Mama .... Orangette (even though it's from 2010) ... Little Wonders' (she COLOR CODED her bucket list ... and literally has buckets!) ... and another 2010 list, but still good, Daughter of a Baker.

Need some help?  Jen offers assistance in creating a bucket list for your kids (she includes printables, even!).

Do any of these lists motivate or inspire you?  Any specific entry on the list that makes you want to say "me too, me too!"

I would love to challenge my friends who read me, who are living abroad ... and away from their normal environs ... to write a summer bucket list of their own!  

It might not look the same as a summer to-do list if you were living "back at home" but I want to see it regardless.  Up for the challenge? If you blog it, email me the link.  If you don't blog, just email me the list! 

(I have a feeling that those who "go home" for the summer will have completely different lists than those who "stay put" for the summer).  Humor me, people!

HOLI 2011

First off, a very belated Happy St. Patrick's Day!  I tried my hand at green beer here in Delhi (courtesy of Kingfisher) and I'm not sure if the added glycerin is what caused this, but ... yuck!

On to Holi ...

First we celebrated at the kids' school ... and although I have 300 photos from that day, only these are appropriate to share on the internet due to privacy issues ... but at least you get a visual of the crazy color going on!

Then on to party #2 at Mia's school (same deal applies, although I have tons of pictures, just can't share them all online)

Then party #3 at a friend's home ...

And party #4 with the Make A Difference students ...

and finally a bit of color with the folks on our street ....

Happy Holi!

MAKE A DIFFERENCE - Holi Party

(I interrupt the normally scheduled Monday series of the MAD posts, to bring you this ... on a Wednesday ... just because it can't wait another day to share!)

Recently, someone got a hair-brained idea that turned into an afternoon of loveliness, fun and memories.

Sally called and asked "What would you think about hosting the MAD students at my house for a last minute Holi party?"  Within short order, we had the colors ordered AND delivered, drummers at the ready, snacks, juice, and an invite to all of the students was extended.

Our family was already pretty "Holi-d" out as we'd attended lots of festivities and gatherings already, but the kids were up for adding another party to our list.  

A group of the MAD teachers gathered outside of the area where the students live and walked them to the lawn of the Roosevelt House (where the Ambassador of the United States to India lives with his family).

The afternoon was so much fun -- watching our students interact with each other while having FUN (instead of just sitting at desks), and the opportunity to introduce them to my own family was wonderful.  

Colors were flying, the drum beat was infectious and the smiles were huge (which means during Holi that teeth quickly turned all sorts of colors!).

Jyoti and Sanjana

Sanjana (the Elder), Pinky, Aakash and some others

United States Ambassador to India, Tim Roemer throwing his hands up (I LOVE the expression on the little boys' face that he's dancing with!)

Tim, Sally and Lal Singh.  Lal is the spirit behind this MAD program.

Level I students, Janet, Tim and I (minus Ann, Shanthi, Vanita and Tracy - the other team teachers)

Lloyd writing at India Adventure shared some thoughts about the afternoon.  Jump over there to see his photos, but I wanted to share here some of his perspective about volunteerism and sharing of yourself, your time and your energy ::

While all of them [the MAD students and teachers] were united in the traditional colors of Holi on the outside............I wonder what the "color" of helping someone looks like.............what does the color of volunteerism look like?, what does the color of "feeling good inside" look like?

I am so grateful that I have been able to play a "supporting role" in the volunteering that Linda and Preston have been doing since coming to India.............I am also envious of them............and wish that my job allowed me the time to contribute to the betterment of someones life while I am in India...........in the meantime, I will have to be content with the small behind the scenes help that I am doing............I think I need to work on my "inside colors".

What about you? Are you Making a Difference and working on your colors inside? What are your True Colors?..........Happy Holi everyone!

I don't know about you, but I just loved that.  What say you about whether your "inside colors" match your outer colors?  Do you have a desire to help, volunteer, reach out but haven't made the leap or made a commitment?  Do you fear you don't have time, or aren't sure where to start?

GIVING IN A CREATIVE WAY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

As the holiday season rapidly approaches, I thought I would share some of my favorite ways to share ... creatively, compassionately and charitably ... this season ::

One World Health Bead

Perfect for your friends and family who have Pandora bracelets ... Pandora is proud to partner with One World Health, a nonprofit pharmaceutical company that develops safe, effective and affordable new medicines for the world's most impoverished communities.  


For each charm sold, Pandora will donate $20 to One World Health.  Visit One World Health to learn more about their organization.


One World Health Bead -- (item number #790472CZ)


(thanks Mimi for my special gift !!)

Masudi

Masudi is a young man that my mother met several years ago.  He needs support from people like you to continue his education and to reach his goal of becoming a chef.  Read my mama's blog for more information on how to help - in a practical and simple way.

Passports with a Purpose 

(via Uncornered Market)

In the name of your favorite loved one or that family member that is impossible to buy for, consider donating IN their name to help build a village in India!


The details (via Hole in the Donut) ::


Travel bloggers around the world have solicited prizes and gift certificates from travel gear companies, hotels, resorts, airlines, and electronic manufacturers, all of which are being offered as prizes in this year’s effort. The impressive list includes items like a Zeppelin flight in California (value $750), a three-night, ocean view stay at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii (value $2200), and a Norwegian Coastal Cruise Voyage (value $2074). Donors choose which prize or prizes they want to have a chance to win by placing a number in the box aside their preferred prize. So for example if you want to register to win the $350 Delta Airlines flight voucher, putting “1” in the box will buy you one chance and cost you $10. Putting “5” in the box will buy you five chances and cost you $50. Your total donation is tallied at the bottom of the prize list, giving you an opportunity to make modifications before proceeding to the payment page. At the end of the campaign, one winner will be randomly drawn for each prize from the total number of entries for that particular prize. The prizes add a little fun to the process, but even if your name isn’t drawn you can be sure that all donations are benefiting an excellent cause.


To donate and try your hand at winning one of the great prizes :: Donate
To learn more about Passports with Purpose :: About

Heifer International

Want to give your brother a cow?  Or your niece a bunch of rabbits?  Hoping to find the perfect camel for your boss?  Heifer International provides livestock "for purchase" to help families in struggling situations to be better able to provide for their families.  Visit their catalog for more information and to purchase today!


One of the cool things about Heifer is that it requires its recipients to pay it forward.  They agree to share the offspring of gift animals with others in need, making it all come full circle when the recipients become equal partners in the fight to end world hunger.


(For even more on Heifer, watch the video about their work in India and read about Brigitte Lacombe's recent visit to Rajasthan)

Bead for Life

Not only is this a great organization, but you can also shop Elle's amazing Etsy store (just mention BEAD FOR LIFE when you checkout and she will contribute 20% of your purchase to Bead for Life).  I've ordered the Fly Away Home necklace and can't wait to wear it!

MwangaBora

Have you heard about this kid?  Evan Wadongo was frustrated by the expense involved in utilizing kerosene lanterns in Kenya for children to study at night, or attend school, he invented a solar lantern.  He recently was awarded a CNN Heroes accolade and I was touched to watch him accept his award VERY humbly, by simply saying that children NEED light in order to grow.  Consider purchasing lanterns or donating to the cause ... in the name of a loved one!

Spread love, light and the spirit of the holidays!!

AWA MELA 2010

If you're in Delhi this coming weekend, do consider attending the AWA Holiday Mela, on the grounds of the American Embassy School!

The crew with the AWA organization has been working tirelessly to bring you an amazing day with vendors, activities for the kiddos, fantastic entertainment, delicious food and of course, the used book sale (get there early for that!).

The Fading Ladies will also have a table in the walkway, selling our NEW designs (not even on the website yet!) along with all current inventory for Rs. 500 per shirt.  Stock up for Christmas gifts!

THANKSGIVING WISHES

Hoping that your Thursday is filled with good friends, amazing family, full bellies, traditions, memories and thankful hearts ... wherever you may be.

(Image of our "Thanksgiving-In-a-Box" from a local grocery store ... can't beat it!)

“Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.”

― Jane Howard

HALLOWEEN IN DELHI - 2010

I'm pretty sure that I've dressed up every year since Terran was born ... I "think"?


I've been Eve, Carman Miranda, Cleopatra, a robot, a genie, a mermaid, school girl (not a naughty one, of course), a witch, a judge, an angel, a devil and a whole host of other fun getups.


This year, I was stressing just a smidge about wearing the same costume again, let alone two years in a row.


I stopped into the AWA Thrift Store for kicks and giggles just to see what fun things had been delivered that week.


SCORE.


For the grand total of Rs. 200, I got to dress up as ::

To make the whole thing just a bit sweeter, I ran into a new AWA member at the office while I was in costume and she commented on how her daughter was going to be Snow White. When I lamented that I had struggled to find a Snow White costume for Mia, she exclaimed "well, I have two and you are welcome to borrow one!"

We had a very busy and festive Halloween weekend, including the yearly costume parade at Mia's school, an AWA craft party with a halloween theme, trick-or-treating in the neighborhood (organized by one of the fellow expat moms) and the annual Fall Fiesta at the kids' school.

A couple of other images from our Halloween this year, including the classic moment when we were trick-or-treating and got fogged out with mosquito treatment being carted around on the back of a bicycle.

THE PUJA

We recently purchased two new cars (long story!) and the above video is a glimpse into the car puja that was had when the new vehicles got home. 

A car puja - very simply - is a ceremony to consecrate or bless a new car. 

Hindus bless most items that are used in daily life.  Kushal and Surrender both arranged for a pujari (priest) to come to the home.

Typically, the owner of the car participates in the puja, but Todd and I decided we'd rather have the drivers participate ... and that request was met with many giggles!

I'll give you a brief description of the steps that were shown in the video (although I honestly can't remember if this was the right order). 

Kushal and Surrender first accepted holy water (with rose petals) from the pujari to wash their hands.  It was repeated three times.  It is a rule to accept things into the right hand, so you can see both men cupping their left hand under their right.

The pujari drew a swastika (auspicious Hindu symbol that means "be well") with the third finger of his right hand (an auspicious finger). This is drawn on the car with turmeric powder mixed with water.

After the swastika is drawn, Kushal and Surrender were given rice, three times, to bless the swastika by sprinking rice on it.

One of the guards lit incense sticks. The pujari took them, and handed them to each driver to circle around the swastika three times in a clockwise direction. 

(All throughout this process, the pujari was reciting mantras ... I believe in prayer to Lord Ganesha?)

There was also a point where string was tied to the wrists of each person present.  Also, string was tied to the steering wheel of each vehicle.  We then received turmeric powder on our foreheads ... although interesting to note, Shanti, Mia and I were required to put our own paste on.

There was also the breaking of coconuts on the street (must be near the right front tire of the car) and then the coconut water sprinkled on the cars.  To close out the ceremony, the pujari instructed each driver to hold a strand of their hair (not sure why?), and the decoration of the hood of the car was finalized with a sash, apple, indian sweet, money, the incense sticks and marigolds.

The final step was to give sweets to everyone present ... and the puja was complete!  

You have the shortened version (2.5 minutes).  The two vehicles took about 90 minutes ... interesting!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Taking full advantage

I love my sleep.  I love sleeping in.  It doesn't happen very often, but I love it.

While recently on vacation, I had daydreams of sleeping in for a bit (when i say "sleep in" I mean, past 7:30 am), and waking up to happy kids - still slumbering in dreamland and slowly adjusting to what the day will hold in store for us.  Some coffee, some fruit.  Maybe a bit of reading of the local newspaper, reviewing the activities for the day at hand.

However ... one of the mornings in Rome, I awoke to a little bitty standing next to my side of the bed.  Blankie in one hand, the other set of fingers gingerly tapping at my shoulder. 


"Mama.  Mama.  Mama?"

One eye opens to acknowledge that I see her.  The same eye closes, as I say "baby girl, please go back to bed?"


"Mama?  The sun is up.  Can we go for a walk?"

I open both eyes and my hands stumble all over the nightstand that is not familiar to my touch.  Looking for my phone to see what god-awful time it must be.


5:45 am Rome time.  (in her defense, her little body thought it was about 8:45am, I think). Sheez.  Really? 


"Mia ... seriously.  Please?  Can you go back to bed?  It's not even 6:00 am."

"Mama. The sun is up and we're on vacation."


Okay, okay ... I thought to myself.  This IS her vacation just as much as it is mine.

"Mia - don't wake the boys up ... let daddy sleep.  Go sit in the bathroom quietly and we'll get dressed and go for a walk."  


(with both eyes open and now sitting vertical, I realized that the little punkin' was 100% dressed and ready to go already!)

Throwing clothes on, water on my face, camera on my shoulder and the hotel key into my pocket, off we went.  6:00 am still hadn't seen the hands of the clock.  She was right though, the sun WAS up.

A quick right out of the hotel gate, and a left soon after.  We talked about the pigeons and the flowers in the windowsills.  We listened to the quiet and she asked if anyone else was awake.  We came across a delightful pink moped.  Do you see the sweet little tippy-toes, making sure she gets the picture just right?

Everywhere we walked, she snapped photos with her little camera.  Pink, of course.

Another left .. at 6:05 am ... and we came across this.

The locals ... setting up a short farmers' market ... right in the middle of the street.  Supplying the nearby restaurants with deliciously fresh produce and fish.

P

We were salivating.  Drooling actually.  The thought of picking a strawberry out of one of those baskets and plunking it straight into our mouth was so appealing.  We didn't need to sterilize the fruit in bleach solution for an hour before enjoying.  

Problem was, I hadn't imagined we'd happen across a smorgasbord of delicious-ness.  I fast-talked and explained to Mia that the fruit would still be waiting for us after we got back to the hotel and Daddy woke up.

"Mama ... can we get some flowers after we get Daddy's money?"

Yes baby ... he would LOVE to buy you flowers!

We snuck back into the hotel room and quietly tapped Daddy's shoulder this time.  "Daddy ... the sun is up and your baby girl would like to take you for a walk", I whispered.

Like the super-star dad that he is, he immediately got up, rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, and off we went.

We ate cherries, spitting the seeds onto the street.  Dug into the strawberries and bought an extra basket, just in case.  Peaches for mama and some apples for the boys.

Now at the flower stand, we soon found out that the roses were a smidge bit expensive, so we opted for a single sunflower.

Mia paid for her flower - nearly as big as she was ... and we headed back to the hotel to see if the brothers were awake.

Walking back with the Colosseum in view.

(still can't figure out how to balance the light for photos like this ... to get the Colosseum right, Mia/Husb are way dark.  Hmpfh.)

I'm not sure that Little Miss was checking to make sure I was coming, as much as she was making sure I saw that SHE had her daddy's hand ... walking the streets of Rome ... all before 7:00 am on vacation.

When you take advantage of the opportunities that you are given, most often, you are surprised by the results!

This morning was a fantastic reminder for ME to take advantage ... FULL advantage of the lessons, experiences and enjoyment that the littles (and the big one) are wanting to share with me.  


A reminder to continue "getting up" to participate ... the rewards are plentiful!