An Indian 2011.

Turns out, I lived in India for all.of.2011. And I will never be the same.

It's real hard for me to process through all I've learned and experienced this year, but I think I can come up with a list of some sort.

Hit up Oman, Malaysia, and the UAE.
Thought on my feet.
Danced with the tribes.
Learned some language.
Treated Thailand like a home-away-from-home.
Made some LEGIT friends.
Drew a little henna.
Took buses, autos, rickshaws, metros, trains, planes, and truckers like there was no tomorrow.
Trained some teachers.
Loved on some babies.
Hurt with the hurting.
Ate enough rice for a Chinese province.
Accidentally picked up on Indian English.

Will never be the same.

Elephant.

Betty, is that you?

Okay, okay... guys, it's not Betty Crocker. It's just me-- Liz. But, boy oh boy, I sure did feel like her on Thanksgiving. It was such a sweet day to spend with fellow-Americans here and thank Him for all He has done for us. 

And I got to practice my cook-from-scratch skills. 

And, yes, this IS homemade cinnamon coffee creamer. Yumm.  

I promise I'm not just promoting my potential wife skills, but I kinda wanted to show off my ability to follow a recipe. hah. 

Happy Thanksgiving. 

BOOM.

"Go! Go! Go! Move! Get out of the way!"

Diwali, the "festival of lights," is one of the biggest celebrations for many Hindus in my area, and it's here! Families are gathered in their courtyards, mischievous boys are throwing little "bombs" under the feet of passersby in the busy marketplace, and friends visit each other to to deliver sweets or just to say "Happy Diwali!"

Fireworks, or "crackers," are booming and blasting all over the place, but they're not the only things blowing up. Friendships are going deep this week as we talk about light and its True Source. People here are seeking light, and many are still bumbling around in the dark. 


BOOM. His light can shake up this place more than any firecracker. 

September Snippets.

It's pretty obvious that I've been a blog slacker, so I'm going to try to get back on board and post some little snippets of life here and random happenings. 

Here are a few fun facts about September. 

I went on a boat ride the other day and it was wonderful. 

I got to work with a group that does anti-trafficking dramas & learned so much. 

It's pretty normal to smash cake on everyone's face at a birthday party, so I couldn't resist. 

Spent some sweet time in the Word.

Got to see this scooter. So good. 

Umm... and I got peed on by a cow. Is that normal? No. Did it happen? Yes. 

ANNDD I got to help welcome this sweet baby into the world. Maddy's niece. 

And so much more-- come on over and check out life here. You'll never be the same. 

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.