Growing Clouds

Clouds over St. Theresa Church along with same orange blossoms I had outside my window in Brasilia

Clouds have been growing in the skies over Mumbai. Makes me think the pre-monsoon showers may be on their way.

The monsoon's hit Kerala in the South. It usually arrives there in late May. Not this year.

It usually arrives in Mumbai on the day of the 8th Grade Celebration. Again, not this year.

From reading in the Times of India, the monsoon system stalled while out at sea. And not just for a day, it was stalled for much longer. Weeks.

Today, while I was riding in a taxi, I saw some men helping a rickshaw driver who's rick had stalled.  I'm just ready for somebody to push this system along in the same way they did.

Summertime...

Many friends and colleagues here have posted about this year coming to a close. They've shared highlights of their year in India and thank yous. Photos and tidbits. Sorry, no final recap from me here. I'll do those in person if you'd like.

Today, Monday, is my first official day off and I'm relishing it.

I started the day by sleeping in until 8:50.

Then I met a dear friend for breakfast at the Bagel Shop. Yummy goat cheese bagel and chit chat.

Next I ran some errands while jamming to Jango...pharmacy, paint store choosing colors for my new apartment and the cell phone company to pay ahead on my bill with the hopes that it won't be shut off over the holiday.

Now I'm home and ready for a nana nap but have some schoolwork and other business things to do first. That's a busy day before noon. Ha!

I probably won't post as much over the summer for numerous reasons but will update with photos sharing highlights of each week.

Enjoy your summertime. Play lots and relish the small things.

Hello?

Today I went out for breakfast and wedding jewelry shopping with friends.

While at the jewelry store, my phone rang. Of course it was a number I didn't recognize. It's common to receive random numbers calling you here.  But I've learned that unlike other places I've lived, I need to answer because most times, it's someone trying to help me do something.

"Hello?" I heard a voice say.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Yes, hello?"

"Hello. Yes? You called me?" I said again.

Talking but nothing understandable.

"Yes, hello? Can I help you?" I asked.

"Hello?

Again knowing that someone's trying to tell me something I said, "Yes?"

"Something, something, internet." Ah...now we're getting somewhere. This is someone calling about my internet.

"Yes, you need something about my internet?" I replied.

"Something, something, something," said a different voice.

"I'm sorry I can't understand you. It's loud where you are," I replied.

A third voice then said, "Hello?"

By this time I hadn't even too much patience yet. I'm thought I need to pay my internet bill. I haven't done it in a while.

"Hello?" I replied. "You are calling about my internet?"

So, the voice said, "Something, something, home."

"I'm out. I will be home after 3."

"Okay 3," replied the third voice and we hung up.

So here I sit. It's after 3 and hopefully somebody soon will come to collect my payment. It may have taken us both a little patience on the phone. That's a frequent thing in India for both expats and Indians. We all have a difficult time understanding one another. Some days it doesn't bother you and others can drive you crazy. Today I'm feeling the former.

But how can you complain when the internet company calls to tell you you need to pay your bill and they're going to send someone to your door to collect it?

A little patience paid off. And hopefully my bill will be paid off soon as well.

Heavy-Weight Champion of the World

Yep. That's my new goal. 

This goal begins with a little background information. 

My school's under construction. They're calling it 42 Tons. Meaning we've started major renovations during the final few weeks and we're moving 42 elephants worth of stuff. These gaurantuan efforts will lead to one new elementary campus and a renovated middle and high school campus in the fall. Very exciting. 

So, Thursday, the 42 elephants began their move. This includes relocating early childhood classes, the fourth grade, art, specialists (too many of these wonderful people to name) and the elementary office. The actual moving began at 1:00 p.m.  

I offered my efforts to the fourth grade team. They're moving from the bottom floor to the top. Up 5 flights.

Classes start again on Monday morning and it's important to me that all of the students who are moving spaces have easy transitions. I also know I've set up enough classrooms to offer my help and services that I could be a good resource for them. Pretty much I told them just to boss me around. 

Our campus has 2 elevators. Small ones. Tiny ones. Obviously to me the men carrying desks, shelving, etc had priority using the elevator over me. Plus I saw climbing the stairs as a bit of exercise. 

I went up and down the stairs several times. Bringing ladders to hang things on the walls, asking questions, making sure things were made as easy as possible for this team. 

To help with this, I made stops along the way to visit with colleagues in other divisions to cool off and take short breaks.  

I'm outta shape, I admit it. Badly. I passed the same group of people several times. Each time I passed, I said hello and smiled. They did the same.  

My final time up, I must have looked tired. It also was the end of the day too. And just before a 3-day weekend. 

One of the staff members I'd passed a few times, who's position and name shall remain nameless, said, "If you climb the stairs many times, you will be the heavy-weight champion of the world."
 

I smiled and thought, "Why not say "stronger" or "you'll loose weight" or have "strong legs?" Nope. Heavy-weight champion.  I replied, "You're right," and when out of sight just shook my head pondering the honesty.

Gotta embrace it, right? So get ready world and especially those of you who occupy the fourth floor, I've got a new goal and you're gonna see me on the stairs working toward it.

Roses are Pink and My Apartment Doesn't Stink

When I arrived home from Singapore on Tuesday, I anticipated an adjustment to Mumbai.  As we left the airplane, the differences between India and elsewhere were instantaneous. 

After riding in the van and entering my building and riding in an elevator, further differences invaded my mind and bombarded my senses.  

I opened my apartment door expecting to be greeted by a wave of hot air and stench from being empty for 5 days. Another difference.

To my surprise it smelled like roses. I turned on the lights and found these.

Beautiful, pink, belated birthday roses from my housekeeper, Espe, who's back to work this week. One of the wonderful ways that India's different from elsewhere. I love some of the differences. 

Chicago Singapore: Same Same but Different

The past few days I've been away from India. I thought I was visiting Singapore for professional development, but shortly after immigration and baggage claim, I felt like we'd landed someplace else. I wondered if we somehow took a 5 hour flight and wound up in Chicago.  

Then I wondered, did Chicago have a secret twin? A twin city on the other side of the earth?

Singapore is nothing like Chicago. Really it's not. 

There are beautiful palm trees. Chicago doesn't have those outside anyway. 

There's loads of Chinese and British influence in the architecture. Again, not really Chicago. We've got tall buildings like the Sears Tower (I still can't call it Willis). We have beautiful gothic and art deco style instead. 

Signs throughout the city are in Chinese. There are some signs in Chicago in Chinese but not nearly as many and most are in Chinatown. 

For the past five days, I felt like went home. Let me try to make my case. 

Lovin' me some Sbucks on the street in  Singapore.
And look, benches to sit too!

Evidence #1. Starbucks
We landed early Friday morning and went to our hotel. Not being able to check in we went to a nearby mall to get our first Starbucks fix. Yes, that's right, Starbucks. Chicago has those too. 

Evidence #2. Garrett's Popcorn
The same mall that had a Starbucks also contained a Garrett's Popcorn. For Chicagoans, we all know our favorite blend. And yes it was listed on the menu and yes, I did buy a medium size mix. 

Evidence #3. Tap water
In Singapore you can drink water from the tap. You can do the same thing in Chicago. And that was the first thing I did after we checked into our hotel. From my hands. 

Evidence #4. Architecture (see above)

Both cities have great bridges, ferris wheels and are known for it.

Wrigley Building from river

Singapore skyline

Evidence #5. Reclaimed land 
Both cities claimed land from water. Chicago from Lake Michigan. Singapore from Straits of Singapore (I think, if I read the map correctly). 

Excited for some real meat. Yes, I wrote that.

Evidence #6. Dan Ryan Steakhouse
Chicago's known for its steakhouses. And this branch of the chain didn't let me down. Delic steak salad. Buffalo head on the wall and piece of evidence #7...

Evidence #7. Fountain drinks
Again, Chicago has those too. I heart fountain Diet Cokes.

Evidence #8. Riverwalk restaurants and bars
Both cities have beautiful riverwalks. These walks have wonderful restaurants and cafes along them. Granted in Chicago they're closed for almost half the year but they both have them.

Can you see why I was a bit confused?

My confusion could probably a combination of things. One part summeritis. Two parts homesickness. And three parts that I'm ready to take a break from my new home and the challenges it brings to daily life. Maybe the breakdown isn't quite right but whatever the case, it was nice to be home for a few days.

Okay, and finally a few photos that probably make Singapore truly different than Chicago... and mostly it's just that the people I met live in Mumbai. That's really all...

Singapore skyline from Marina Sands

Same skyline

Night out with ASB friends

Yummy margaritas - hey I forgot about the delicious Mexican food!

Last night in Singapore getting our Mexican fix.

Hammer Time!

For the past 8+ weeks there's been construction in my apartment building. They've completely torn up the apartment on the 7th floor (2 floors above mine).

The construction, really I should say deconstruction, lasts about 8 hours each day. It begins (on the weekends) around 9:30 am and lasts until about noon. Then the work picks up again around 4 and ends at 8 pm.

I'm lucky that I'm not here most days. Just here on the weekends if I just stay in to relax. On those days I've gotten used to it. It hadn't bothered me much lately. Even during my yoga lesson last night I was able to concentrate and not even notice it. Guess my meditation's paying off!

But today the builders raised the ante. When I got home from school around 5 pm, today there was a noise that was just a little bit louder. A jackhammer! Truly. They've been jack-hammering on the 7th floor. The jackhammer stopped just before I started to write this post.

WAIT! Ironically as I write this post, my doorbell just rang. The guard came to my door with a letter's been written by someone in the apartment society complaining. It complained of the noise and especially the recent loud hammering between 2-5 p.m. which must happen during the week while I'm gone. This hammering has disturbed the senior citizens in my building. Finally somebody else noticed! The letter also noted worries about possible leaking during monsoon season. Leaks are a huge problem already in the building. Of course, I signed the complaint.

With all of the construction, there's not just the noise pollution. There's been dust and dirt.  Spit and grime.  Some of that's a product of just work happening. Construction = dust.  But the floors of the building haven't been washed since the construction started. The walls are filthy.

Construction workers usually carry large bags of cement and things up barefoot

Recently I asked school for support in making a complaint to the landlord who's completing the remodel. I wanted help, not about stopping the noise, but about cleaning the dirt and dust that coat our stairs and hallways.  They made the mess, so they should clean it up. School replied and said that unfortunately communication with my building was difficult and suggested I consider moving to one of the available apartments. 

The hammering may continue but the dust and dirt won't bother me any longer after this summer. I decided to take school up on the offer to move. I'll be a block away and down four floors from my current spot.

Here's to hoping the blessing across the hall (and the society letter too) helps to end all of the pollution happening inside my apartment building.

Garland across on the door across the hall