Love/Hate

The more you read about it and the more time you spend here you learn that what is written about India is nothing but true. It is a powerful and grand place filled with contradictions that will leave you conflicted and confused.

I came across this quick read that goes out to my Parents since they will be the next brave souls to venture west. I especially like how it ends with the commonly understood love/hate relationship. I don't know anyone who really has just said I love India without being followed by a but...

Even myself. I love India. I do...buuuuuuut...

http://goindia.about.com/od/planningyourtrip/qt/indiaarriving.htm

2010: A New Decade

There are few ways to go about the New Years Resolution. There's the good ol' 'I am going to change my life around this year... grand promenade, open a new savings account, buy a new organizer, running sneakers, go to a jazzercise class once...and then never again. There's the silent keep-to-yourself planners who commit to a set of goals, power through and see what they can accomplish. Then there are those in the middle of the spectrum where I seem to be. I feel the need to tell people what my new hopes and dreams are for the new year, knowing that I am motivated by the fright of failing to accomplish that which I have made public.

This mindset could also be the same reason why I have somehow found my way to India. Julie Keech - if you still have the one and only copy of my 10 year plan that I snail mailed to Japan almost 4 years ago, I would love to see it...

So here it is folks, it's not too grand but it is a start

Quinnen's 2010 Resolutions:

Take Hindi Lessons and become conversational before leave India

Don't let comfort or discomfort stop me from exploring all the options that Delhi has to offer

Dance more often and maybe join a Class

Read more, Watch fewer Movies

The Abnormal is Normal

I received 2 Christmas cards today at my office one from Stacy and one from Mr. and Mrs. Spencer. Mrs Spence, mentioning that you have enjoyed reading my posts sparked the guilt of blog abandonment that I have needed over the last month to overcome the uncreative mental block that I have been feeling recently. So this one if for you!

Last week I bought my first plane ticket to come home in March for Jeff's cousin's wedding. I am super excited to go home and be around friends, family and to get a break from Delhi. But as soon as my finger hit the confirm button another feeling that I wasn't expecting also came along...anxiety. I think that part of the reason that I have not been posting as much is because the abnormal is now normal.

It really hit me when I have had a slew of visitors in the last month. Erin G came down from Nepal and stayed the weekend, Martin was here from Bangalore and Ricky our new finance guy came in from the Canada office. I took Erin and Ricky to Old Delhi and was in no way phased by the swarms of people, I haggled right back with the rickshaw driver and realized that I had lost my slight awkwardness of navigating around a new city. Don't get me wrong, there is still a lot that I don't know about Delhi, but I think that I am finally developing my 'I belong' confident swagger that keeps locals from messing with you.

I say developing, because with India -- as soon as you get too cocky, it will chew you up and spit you out right back to the place that you belong.

When thinking about something such as identity it is always interesting to pay close attention to the semantics of your dialogue. For instance, I was meeting with Ricky talking about Indians in general, and said, "yeah, we..." immediately I paused, looked in my mental mirror and said...yup, still totally American, I should not be using the 'w' word yet.

With this change in perspective you can start to understand why I am a little nervous to come home. Have I picked up some really strange habits that I don't notice? I have already been called out on the fact that the infamous head wobble is working its way into my repertoire. What is the head-wobble you ask? Just wait for that post I am waiting for a good time to launch it.

When I come back, if we happen to run into each other, please keep in mind that I have been in a very different place. If I happen to push you, cut in line, spit or snot rocket in front of you, drive like a maniac (please keep me away from the driver seat), or stand too close; just know that in due time I will adjust back to the American social mores so don't be too harsh.

Christmas in India

Christmas in India is tough unless you are in Goa. Even though my office and friends are very understanding and sweet, there is something that cannot be expalined about how Christmas in New England is just -- in the air. An energy, the excitement, the jolly spirits, the giving and the carols.

I tried my best. I woke up normal time, went to work wearing a christmas hat with flashing lights, handed out stocking and danced to Christmas music. But laughing with your family and friends around you in your comfortable warm house with snow falling outside, lights all around and spicy aromas of warm apple/pecan/pumpkin pie filling the air can never be replaced.

I hope that everyone had an amazing Holiday weekend and know that I was thinking about all of you! Thanks for the Christmas cards and wishes!

Why I love my Flatmate

“Alex, do you have any Toilet Paper? Saabs and I ran out?”

“Yeah, here you go. Communist Toilet Paper, it is like wiping with newspaper.” “Have fun!”

a few minutes later…

While in the Kitchen waiting for my tea to boil Alex asked me, “will you sing a song?”

I busted out in ‘Oh when the Saints,’ because it has been in my head for the last few hours and for the dramatics I started doing an altered running man marching dance while he continued to cook his chicken-salami and laugh.

He said, “If I move to America, I hope that all Americans are like you.” I said, “Why so you can have songs and dance on cue?” He goes, “yeah, and when I return back to Finland and my friends ask me what are Americans like, are they like how they are in the movies…I am going to say yes!”

“What does that mean…”

“Don’t worry, it’s a good thing.”

“Ok, I am going to go back upstairs with my communist Toilet Paper and my Tea...Oh when the Saints…”

Always Tripping

I am one giant mass constantly off balance with no control or say in the matter. I could attribute this to a few factors. Such as my theory that I have a messed up equilibrium or perception due to my one near-sighted eye and one far-sighted eye. I don't know if it is my learned confident walk that makes me look ahead and not down; or that at times I am just too lazy to lift my feet over impending objects. Mostly I blame it on the unfinished roads, gaping holes in the sidewalks, loose gravel, gross spills, animals, and traffic that you have to avoid that makes me unable to keep my face from plummeting downward.

Battle wounds:

Deep fist sized bruise on my butt from falling down a flight of stairs at my house

Lost toe nail - Right foot, second toe next to my big one...

...and the most recent one happened while trying to take a picture at sunset. I was looking through my camera when I stepped off a curb, my flip flop tucked under itself and I scraped off the bottom of one of my toes.

and now you know why I rave so much about my toe protecting, amazing grip Keen shoes - I should wear them more often.