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!)

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?

SURAJKUND MELA

Surajkund is an ancient reservoir of the 10th century. Surajkund (literal meaning is 'Lake of the Sun') is an artificial Kund (‘Kund’ means “lake” or reservoir) built in the backdrop of the Aravalli hills with an amphitheatre shaped embankment constructed in semicircular form. It is said to have been built by the Tomar king Suraj Pal of Tomar dynasty in the 10th century. Tomar was a sun worshipper and he had therefore built a Sun temple on its western bank.

In the backdrop of the lake, during the spring season, every year from February 1–15, a colorful traditional craft festival of India is held in the precincts of Surajkund. This fair was first started in 1987. Traditional craftsman (artists, painters, weavers and sculptors) from all parts of the country participate in this annual celebration named as the “Surajkund Crafts Mela” or "Surajkund Designer’s Village”. Designer items created by 50 best designers and craftsmen in wood, metal, bamboo, iron, glass, textiles and stone can be seen here. This Mela (fair) is visited by lovers of arts and crafts from all over the world. The fair is held with a different theme every year on Indian culture and crafts.

The theme, specific to a state of India, is depicted at the entrance to the Mela grounds and provides an ambience of that particular state with characteristic colors, materials, architecture, furniture and decorations. The crafts on display in the 400 stalls is of particular crafts of that state. The Mela also includes a food festival covering some of the popular cuisines from different parts of the country. Entertainment in the form of famous rhythms and dance of folk theatre are also held here during the festival.

(taken from Wikipedia)

(The below photos were taken on the way to the mela.  Loved the bicycle parade AND can you see that woman slinging that hammer?  Impressive work!)

I will never tire of shooting vegetable stands in India.

These women made their way towards us, in a S shaped weaving pattern.  It was amazing to watch them, with their arms interlocked, smiling demurely at each other all the while.

A friend posted on Facebook in response to the above photo : This picture is gorgeous. Love the colors, bracelets, smoothness and femininity that it reveals. Beautiful!

My response : And to me, it also represents friendship ... it was really cool to watch these women ... snake along the sidewalk with uniformity, rhythm, sync, trust and ease. Just beautiful.

 

One of my favorite stalls.  FABRIC!!  Pam and I picked out fabric for costumes for an upcoming shindig.  Fun stuff.

While none of the above photos needed any commentary, I now want to share with you the "celebrity phenomenon" that one can only describe via photos.  I am not blonde.  I am not fair skinned and I do not have blue eyes.  Therefore, I have NO personal experience with the celebrity phenomenon that I've heard others talk about.

BUT, I did go to Surajkund with Britt ... who IS blonde, blue eyed and fair skinned.  The below photos describe ...

Notice this guy didn't ask ... he's just taking pictures anyway.

And what's good for the guy in the black shirt ....

Is also good for the guy in the beige sweater.

Me shooting THEM ...

and Britt shooting the masses ... who had all snapped photos of her.

Wait ... isn't that the same guy in the beige sweater?  Again?

Check out the lime shirt.  Awesomeness.

Anyway ... Britt is a good sport (especially since all of these photos were taken in a span of about 10 minutes!).

I was taken with this little sweetheart.  These two were selling Dhokra and I just love his little smile.  He was also very intent to count all of the money we gave in exchange for our purchases, blessing each pile of rupees and then quietly saying "Namaste."

This little guy's drumsticks were just a-flying.  Impressive, loud and mesmerizing!

Husb doesn't know it yet, but these are on my wish list before we leave India!

Thanks girls for a great morning out!