Well. This week has been a really long one, but a good one at that! I am glad to be able to say that I have pulled myself up by my boot straps and moved on past culture shock. All of my friends and family are extremely grateful for that, mainly because I bugged them all for about two weeks with my ranting, raving, and tearful conversations with them. But I am thankful that it's over!
Last week was the Holi celebration in India. You know, the one that a lot of college campuses try to recreate by throwing colors on each other for approximately 5 minutes. Then people go and whine because they feel gross. That definitely was not my experience.
I got together with some of my American and Indian friends to devise an all-out war. We bought probably 50 packets of color, a couple hundred water balloons, and all white clothing. I am happy for that because I have a wonderful souvenir to take back home and frame!
After an hour or so of preparation, pictures, and general laughter, we made our way outside of the apartment. The war began.
We quickly knew that we were outmatched. All of the neighborhood kids had water guns, canned "snow," and tons of packets of color. Before long my perfectly white clothes were colored in pink, purple, blue, orange, green, yellow, and basically any color you can think of. On top of that, the color powder here has an asbestos base. ISN'T THAT WONDERFUL? "If you or one of your loved ones has ever been exposed to asbestos, or mesothelioma..."
Ha!
Other than that, my roommate is sick. With the flu. So it's been a lovely few days of trying to help her but also trying to not die of illness. It's a cycle for us. One of us is always sick. My new slogan is that 80% is my new 100%. Meaning that I am always going to feel a little off. But it's okay.
Other than that, I am currently trying to decide if I am going to finish the remainder of the year in India. I have an opportunity to stay, and may even be moving to a different city. So, that will be interesting! However, it's an experience I would never be able to trade out.
As far as class goes, I am honestly almost done with this class. I think I have maybe 2 weeks worth of the work until I get the necessary points to get an "A." So I am excited, because the coming months involve a lot of travel and I won't have much access to the Internet.
I was grateful enough to also find a local coffee roaster that grows, harvests, and roasts their own Arabica beans. I just ordered two bags of Arabica beans with notes of caramel, roasted to a City + level. GOODBYE NESCAFE.
Last week was the Holi celebration in India. You know, the one that a lot of college campuses try to recreate by throwing colors on each other for approximately 5 minutes. Then people go and whine because they feel gross. That definitely was not my experience.
I got together with some of my American and Indian friends to devise an all-out war. We bought probably 50 packets of color, a couple hundred water balloons, and all white clothing. I am happy for that because I have a wonderful souvenir to take back home and frame!
After an hour or so of preparation, pictures, and general laughter, we made our way outside of the apartment. The war began.
We quickly knew that we were outmatched. All of the neighborhood kids had water guns, canned "snow," and tons of packets of color. Before long my perfectly white clothes were colored in pink, purple, blue, orange, green, yellow, and basically any color you can think of. On top of that, the color powder here has an asbestos base. ISN'T THAT WONDERFUL? "If you or one of your loved ones has ever been exposed to asbestos, or mesothelioma..."
Ha!
Other than that, my roommate is sick. With the flu. So it's been a lovely few days of trying to help her but also trying to not die of illness. It's a cycle for us. One of us is always sick. My new slogan is that 80% is my new 100%. Meaning that I am always going to feel a little off. But it's okay.
Other than that, I am currently trying to decide if I am going to finish the remainder of the year in India. I have an opportunity to stay, and may even be moving to a different city. So, that will be interesting! However, it's an experience I would never be able to trade out.
As far as class goes, I am honestly almost done with this class. I think I have maybe 2 weeks worth of the work until I get the necessary points to get an "A." So I am excited, because the coming months involve a lot of travel and I won't have much access to the Internet.
I was grateful enough to also find a local coffee roaster that grows, harvests, and roasts their own Arabica beans. I just ordered two bags of Arabica beans with notes of caramel, roasted to a City + level. GOODBYE NESCAFE.
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| Personal photo from Holi. March 2015. |
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