Oh brother.

Whoa whoaaaaa! My little brother moved to my city!

It's rather mind-blowing. 

We'll be neighbors and co-workers for the next year. 

To celebrate that fact, and my birthday, we went on an ole boat ride. 

He's pretty cool.

We're pretty Indian.

We squat well. 

We like using umbrellas in the sweet sunshine.

We jump on/off things well...

 

Like trains, buses, and other random cars.

You're free to join us. Come on over. 

Indirect culture? Yes... and no.

Indirect communication around here is all about being friendly, not offending anyone, and not imposing your own views on another person. It's great because you get that 'oooy goooy' feeling when everyone tells you exactly what you want to hear, but it gets frustrating sometimes too because it's hard to tell what the truth is.

Here's a recent example:

FRIEND: Meet me tomorrow around 8 am at the so-and-so bus stop.
ME: Deal. Will be leaving your house at 8 or arriving at so-and-so at 8?

FRIEND: I'll be there at 8, and don't be late, okay?

(the next morning at 8:30 am...)

ME: (on the phone) Hey! I'm at the so-and-so bus stop. Are you on your way?

FRIEND: Yes! I'm coming! I'm coming! Just wait. I'm coming!

(8:50 am...)

ME: Hey, it's me, Liz. Where are you?

FRIEND: I'm coming! I'm coming! Are you waiting? I'm coming!

(9:20 am...)

ME: Hey girl, I'm still here at the bus stop. Are you on your way?

FRIEND: Oh yes, yes! I'm coming!

ME: Are you 'coming' like you're on the bus, or are you 'coming' like you're still at home?

FRIEND: Well, I am still getting dressed, but I am coming. Please wait!

ME: Haha. Okay, I'll grab some tea at the little shop. Just call when you get on the bus and I'll meet you.

This also happens with directions. Even if someone is unsure, they'll point a certain way or even give details directions. I've learned to ask 3-5 people for directions when I need to get somewhere without a grand adventure.

In general, South Asia has an extremely indirect way of communicating, but they're SO direct about appearance and personality. I can't tell you how many times I've heard these phrases-- if not to me, then to the next guy. 

"Ohh.. you are looking so bad. Are you feeling sick?"

"You are looking too fat. Are you having extra calories?"

"You are looking too thin. Here-- eat this."

Just in case you were wondering, those are my thoughts on the communication that goes on around me everyday. Indirectly direct-- it's a crazy combination, but it's fun to figure out how to function well here. It's like a game.

Weird things I do now.

I realize that I've been pretty weird my entire life, but I was reflecting a little today on how I've become even.more.weird. 

I...

- only paint the nails on my left hand... because I eat with the right. 

- see elephants and monkeys often... and get excited every time. 

- ride side-saddle on the back of motorbikes and scooties.... and somehow manage to maintain balance.  

- use excessive hand motions and sound effects in every conversation. Language barrier. 

- feel self-conscious if I don't have a scarf draped across my shoulders. 

- make 'cowboy coffee' every morning by boiling the ole grinds with the water over the gas stove. 

- put things in the sun to heat/re-heat. Like this homemade syrup...

- say 'cheers' all the time... while having tea with village leaders, coffee with friends, or water at the bus stop. Cheers!

- carry an umbrella for rain AND shine. Everybody's doing it. 

    

My today.

Today, I...

Got up... naturally... and set out on my sweet little balcony. 

Made some oats and coffee. 

Jumped in this auto and headed to a trafficking shelter. 

Talked about how we were created uniquely, made picture frames, and... 

Had a legit photo-shoot!

Then, hopped in this auto to go to a baby celebration (like a baby shower, but after the birth).

 a) she's adorable  b) her parents are so hospitable/hilarious...

c) they fed us lunch

Rode this bus to my neighborhood, and...

Walked home "under my umbrella" (with the song in my head, of course).

Stared at my bed for a minute... dreaming... 

Then got over myself and made a cup of coffee... complete with sugar, 'milk,' and cinnamon.  

Went to the office in this little rickshaw (thank you small man who biked me to work). 

Wrote some official-looking letters and had a throw-down with my to-do list. 

Found this guy to take me back to the shelter.

(please notice that my knees are smashed against the bar... thank you Wilson family) 

Had snacks and heard laughter roar as we... 

Watched 3 Idiots!

Didn't get ripped-off too bad by this auto driver on my way home. 

Took this janky elevator up to the 5th floor.  

Propped my feet up, responded to a few messages, and fed my addiction to Pinterest.   

Father's Day should be everyday.

Daily Dabbles.

Life here is becoming so normal to me that sometimes I forget to share the little things... so, here are a few little normal things. 

This is the view from my balcony. Oh, I love mornings out there. 

I work with an NGO as an Education Strategist... and this is how I get to work in the morning:

 This is my office. Sure, I've got a desk, but I like to spread out my little work station on the rug. 

This is one of the village schools I'm working with. Teacher training, ESL camps, and even health camps are on the horizon. 

The ole pizzeria is quaint... and my friends here are BALLER. 

Sometimes I have a "Shoot... I really do live in India" moment... like when I walked by this little guy. 

"We're just people"

When I was saying goodbye to my grandma before I left the States, I told her I'd miss her, and she said, "We're just people. There are people everywhere." Hmm. It's hard to think about the ones that hold chunks of my heart in their hands as "just people," but the more I travel, the more He provides people to love on me and encourage me. It blows my mind that He uses "just people" to remind me of His love over and over again. 

"Just people" sent me out and promised to love me forever. 

"Just people" do life with me.

"Just people" come visit me. 

"Just people" let me live with them for 6 weeks in Thailand. 

"Just people" Skype in just to say hey. 

        

But, you know what? They're just people. It's true, but the One who sent me on this journey is with me every step of the way. 

"It is God to whom and with whom we travel, and while He is the end of our journey, He is also at every stopping place." 

— Elisabeth Elliot