Eeeee!!!! 2: a puppy update

The puppies are almost a month old and changing every day. They just started getting teeth so they like to bite and chew on my fingers and toes. They also started to stand/walk about a week ago. I've been watching them wobble and sway around, and play with each other since then. Mama Soni, however, isn't doing very well. I think she's sick of the puppies, and is dying to get out more. Once they start eating solid food I think she'll feel a bit better. Let's hope that's sooner rather than later :)

Some photos of the runt of the bunch:

My First Marathi Lesson

Today I learned that I am really bad at Marathi. Although I'm not learning how to write Marathi, I thought it would be nice if I learned the alphabet. For an example of my horribleness, see my attempt at the script (about 1/2 the alphabet) below!

My handwriting looks like that of a 3 year old. Oh well. At least my teacher's kids and Joost (the "supportive boyfriend") got a kick out of it.

Christmas in India?

I really can’t believe it.

Where are all of the Christmas carols? The lights? The fragrant pine trees? The snow? The cookies? The decorations? The crazed consumerism? The peaceful feeling? The cold dry air? The stockings hung over the chimney? My family?

When I was driving to Mumbai last weekend to pick up Joost (my boyfriend) from the airport, it suddenly dawned on me that Christmas is coming! What sparked this realization?

1. The Santa hats being sold in the streets of Pune. For those of you who have never been to India, “in the streets” literally means that people walk through traffic and knock on your window to sell you stuff. Much to my horror, I looked over and saw someone wearing a terrifying plastic Santa mask (much more appropriate for Halloween) with his face plastered against my window. He scared the crap out of me!

2. The two Christmas stores I saw near the airport in Mumbai! Two! I was shocked. Although I didn’t get to go in, I saw the usual Christmas lights, garland, and fake Christmas trees made out of green garland.

3. The crucified Jesus sold as a decoration at one of the Christmas stores. Although more accurate than the crucified Santa that one of my friends saw in Japan, I thought to myself, “not quite the right holiday.” Still, I do appreciate the effort, perhaps because I’m not Christian and don’t expect people here to know the difference between Christmas and Easter.

Sadly, there are no signs of Christmas in Mhaswad. Muslims, Hindus, and Jains celebrate each other’s holidays (that’s not to say that there isn’t tension too), and I’d like to add a little Christmas to the festive mix this year. Unfortunately, however, I’m a little late in my intentions and will have to plan a bit better for next time :) Until then...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

xoxo

Suzanne

How I spend my nights in Mhaswad...

Joost (my boyfriend) and I spent an hour last night watching a spider wrap a live ant in its web and then begin to eat it. Interesting that, although ants and spiders are pretty much all over the world, neither of us has witnessed the below. Pretty cool!

Goodbye

For the past month we've had three volunteers from Deutsche Bank at Mann Deshi. Today is their last day at work so earlier this afternoon we had a little farewell gathering complete with speeches, small gifts, and some snacks. It was strange for me to not be the person leaving, but to be sending them off. Even the way we were standing around the room emphasized this- Deutsche Bank volunteers on one side and me standing with Mann Deshi on the other. The whole experience made me realize how connected I feel to Mhaswad, Mann Deshi, and Mann Deshi's staff (my friends).

During everyone's speeches I couldn't help but think of my own departure from Mhaswad (as far away as it may be). The thought of leaving made me very sad. Mhaswad has become a very special place to me. I feel content, comfortable, and relaxed without at all feeling restless or bored. Work may at times be frustrating, but it keeps me on my toes; home life may be difficult for me to understand, but it can be equally reassuring; I may not be able to speak the language, but I can communicate.

I'm so far away from home, and in a place that is so different from everything I'm used to. Yet somehow I've managed to create a fulfilling, challenging, and comfortable life here. And because of that, I feel happy.

Intense Frustration

…that’s putting it lightly.

Everyone in Mhaswad has been amazingly welcoming to me. For that, I’m incredibly grateful to my coworkers, friends, and Indian family. However, as I’m sure many of you can imagine, working and living in a foreign country comes with its fair share of frustrations. Since I am particularly frustrated by work today, I thought I would dedicate a series of blog posts to the workplace practices that I am having a difficult time adjusting to.

Topic #1: Bureaucracy

India is infamous for its miles and miles of red tape, and while dealing with government officials on several different occasions I’ve certainly been exposed to it (and to small-scale corruption). Throughout my time working in Mhaswad, however, I’ve found some of that infamous Indian bureaucracy in the place I least expected it: Mann Vikas Samajik Sanstha. Every single tiny thing that I do, no matter how insignificant, has to pass through the scrutiny of what I have (both with affection and irritation) come to call “the review board.” Because everyone else also must pass their work through the review board and because the review board is frequently traveling, I must wait days or even weeks for my turn. Not only does this severely limit my productivity, but sometimes I find it very infantilizing and on occasion even insulting. It’s the way it works, though, and for now I have to just suck it up and deal with it.

Eeeee!!!!

Soni had FIVE puppies last night, and they could not be more adorable… they haven’t opened their eyes and they can’t stand up! I’m so excited for five cute little soft snuggle-able puppies for me to play with :)

This is like the happiest day ever!!!