Patience is a virtue.

I am feeling quite frustrated, slightly overwhelmed, and a little bit guilty. I should be excited that there is a new group of children staying down here with us so that we can get to know them better, and I am, but it is harder than I thought it would be. Not only are there twice as many of them, girls and boys, in a tiny space, but the language barrier is higher, and they often try to take advantage of the fact that we can't tell what's going on when there is an issue between them. I find myself struggling to keep my patience as they are not very well behaved, loud, can't keep their hands and feet off each other, fight constantly, and have terrible listening skills. Not to mention the chicken pox!

On the one hand, I see how far we have come with the group we had before. Their english skills have made leaps and bounds, they are polite, respectful, have learned to respect privacy and boundaries (somewhat), and finally understood that we do not tolerate violence. On the other hand, it makes me realize how small of a dent we've made in the big picture. Though being part of a change so small would be worth every moment, it is still frustrating to start from scratch all over again. Sometimes I find myself wishing things would go back to the way they were before, to spend time with our four girls and Nithin, who have really learned to enjoy each other's company and realize that they don't need to compete for our attention. I feel guilty for feeling this way, as these kids need us just as much as they did, more perhaps, but the job is leaving us feeling exhausted and wanting to retreat to our room to hide out. (Though their constant knocking has made that impossible.)

To add insult to injury, it is about 500 degrees here day and night making it difficult to get rest or energy. The power goes out on average at least 5 times a day, rendering the fans inoperable, adding to the heat and giving the mosquitos free reign. School has let out for summer break and the kids are all here, all the time. Though some will go to stay with family for a short time, at the moment this place is a zoo!

When it comes down to it, I have to change my perspective and put myself in their shoes. How would I feel if I were them? Or if these children were my nieces or nephew? Imagining their situation helps me to understand why they act the way they do, but I still sometimes have trouble dealing with the chaos of all of their problems projecting at once.

I am praying for patience and the motivation to stay on my feet and not have a short fuse. These children are all wonderful, they each have their own struggles, and all they want is love and attention. It gets hard when they all want it at the same time, but I have to overcome the overwhelming swarm when I step out of my room and ask for God to give me the grace to deal with it all with a smile on my face and love in my heart.

Patience is a virtue.

An Interesting Encounter

On the walk to the store today I almost stepped on a dead kitten. While getting calamine for the chicken pox epidemic, was approached by a creepy old woman carrying a basket with a large snake and a single egg. After avoiding her, I proceeded to pretend there wasn't a man killing a chicken behind me while I was buying fruit. At least someone moved the dead cow from the roadside. That, or the dogs finished eating it.

Pox Attack

After 10 days without the children, we were really missing them and so ready to get back home to Bangalore. An exhausting and fast-paced trip made everything here seem sweeter, the air fresher, the grass greener (there's (some) grass here!), and the food we had grown bored of eating day after day suddenly seemed deliciously appetizing. Unfortunately, upon our return, we discovered that there had been an outbreak of the chicken pox during our absence. While the rest of the kids are finishing up their exams and getting geared up for their short summer vacation, these poor itchy ones are scratching and blistered from head to toe. From lice to chickenpox, I guess its always something when you are living with 65 children in close quarters.

While we were gone, our girls moved back upstairs with the other girls and younger boys. Rather than resuming our previous responsibilities with them, we are now running the infirmary, since the sickly ones have been sent down to be quarantined. At present, there are ten children sprawled about down here: Thangmaigam, Uday, Sharavan, Anjali, Thomas, Someshakar, Monica, Swetha, Mercy, and poor Karun who on top of the pox has a terrible case of conjunctivitis. We are trying our best to keep them out of our room, but it's more difficult than one might think. Luckily both Nina and I had chicken pox when we were children. Lets just hope that we are immune to the Indian strains as well, and pray for a quick recovery for these poor poxers.

On the bright side, we are getting to know a new group a little closer than we might have been able to before. Maybe the chickenpox can be a blessing!

The Northern J's

Jaipur....The Pink City

....Jodhpur....The Blue City

........Jaisalmer....The Golden City

A lot has happened in the last ten days! I am going to do my best to consolidate the goings on and give you a short synopsis of our trip to the northern state of Rajasthan.

JAIPUR

We started out in Jaipur, also known as the Pink City and capital of Rajasthan. We began by celebrating the annual Elephant Festival, where lavishly decorated elephants are paraded through the city, then headline a procession (along with camels, horses, marching bands, and dancers) through the Jaipur Polo club and finally participate in polo matches, races, and games (like the elephant vs. man tug-o-war.) The elephants were incredible, but I couldn't help feeling bad for the poor things who were painted all over and loaded down with heavy textiles and jewelry in the desert heat.

That's one fancy elephant!

Here we got our first taste of Holi, which was officially celebrated the next day. Holi is a Hindu holiday, celebrated at the end of the winter season to usher in spring, the season of love. One story of the origin of Holi, and what began the throwing of colored powder and water on one another, came from the love story between the Hindu god and goddess Krishna and Radha. In the legend, Krishna complained to his mother of the difference between his dark and Radha's light complexion, so colors were applied to her skin to reduce the contrast. Though I am not Hindu, it was interesting to see and participate in this joyful celebration between neighbors and friends, strangers and foreigners. We got our first dashes of color from Manoj and his family at the guest house we stayed in, and were quickly accosted and assaulted by young men who apparently use this celebration as a way to attack and violate women. We decided to hang back from the hectic and tourist filled city to play small-town style with Manoj and his family and neighbors. I think we really got a feel for the way an Indian family would celebrate, with friends, smiles and sweets!

Playing Holi with a neighbor kid in Sethi Colony, Jaipur

The rest of our time in Jaipur was spent perusing, shopping through bazaar after bazaar after bazaar....and visiting sites like the Amber Fort, the Jal Mahal (floating palace), and the 'monkey temple' of Galta (where monks invited us in for chai with their guru). We also met some local friends who brought us to an elephant colony where we got to play with a baby elephant named Muskuraahat (Smile in Hindi) and treated us to dinner and fun that we wouldn't have found in a guide book. Tired already, we overslept and barely made our bus out of town, further into the desert....

Playing with Muskuraahat

JODHPUR

By the time our auto pulled up to the very funky Yogi's guest house after winding through the colorful bazaars and tight, crowded streets, I was already in love with Jodhpur. The Blue City, named such for the array of blue-washed buildings and houses around the Mehrangarh Fort, feels like the epitome of India -- busy, bustling, loud, colorful, a chaotic rush to all the senses. Always look where you are walking or you will most likely get hit by a speeding rickshaw or step in a fresh pile of cow dung. But the shopping....the shopping! I'm no girly girl, but this place would make anyone shell out their rupees. The textiles, spices, metalware, and jewelry overflowed from the crowded booths, and soon out of my nearly bursting pack. But here, unlike Jaipur, the merchants were friendlier and not so pushy. In the evening, we sat on the rooftop of Yogi's enjoying some delish Rajasthani delights and a Kingfisher while gazing at the barely waning moon and the illuminated fort towering above us. I was sad to leave so soon, but there were camels that needed riding....

One of the reasons I love Jodhpur, it's my favorite color! (I didn't take this photo)

An active evening bazaar by the clock tower in Jodhpur

JAISALMER

We arrived in Jaisalmer, the Golden City (so-called for its golden-yellow sandstone structures) via overnight prison car, I mean train, at around 5 am. In the dark we were tired and disoriented and had no clue how to get to our room at the Hotel Suraj. Luckily, a nice old man who happened to be up at the hour escorted us to the doors of the centuries old haveli by the Jain Temples. When we finally got to our room, it looked like a dark cave at most but we were tired and hit the sack. When we awoke a few hours later with the sun streaming in, we got a load of the majestic palace of a room we were staying in, complete with original carvings, paintings and scalloped archways fit for old Indian Royalty. When we gazed out our windows, we were surrounded by golden intricately carved sandstone structures winding with beautiful stone walkways. It reminded me of the Indian version of Lacoste, France, the medieval village I lived in a few years back, complete with friendly locals who had lived there for generations, forming a tightly knit community of desert dwellers. The people were eager to sit and talk with us, share their stories, life philosophies, and hot chai. Though we each got a touch of the flu, we were able to make the best of the situation and enjoy Jaisalmer for the beautiful gem that it is.

Our amazing haveli at the hotel Suraj (and we paid peanuts!)

Jaisalmer Fort

We trekked out into the Thar desert on camels, drank chai as we watched the sun set, had dinner cooked over a campfire, and slept under an infinity of stars. After the pandemonium of the cities we had been bouncing between, it was refreshing to rest out in the peace and quiet, admiring all of God's creation.

Me and my camel, Johnny in the Thar Desert

Nina enjoying one of God's beautiful creations

Sunrise over my desert bed

By this time we were utterly exhausted and after the casket ride to hell, aka the 12 hour sleeper car bus ride (that's another story for another time), we were back in Jaipur with a day to relax before catching our return flight to Bangalore. After the commotion of the trip and lack of communication with comrades, we were feeling a little homesick, and the heat drove us into the Pink Square Mall down the street. Thinking a little 'American' food might comfort me, I ordered a club sandwich, only to find out an Indian club sandwich consists of cole slaw on white bread slathered with mustard. It didn't exactly do the trick, but once we hit the runway back in Bangalore, it really did feel like we were home. (Well, almost.)

Home, Sweet Bangalore....

Though the past ten days have been eventful, crazy, extreme, and will definitely go down in the books as one of the most interesting travel experiences I've had yet, I am really looking forward to getting back home to Bangalore. Even though we've only been gone ten days, the hustle and bustle and confusion of Indian travel has exhausted us and it feels like much longer. I cannot wait to see the kids' smiling faces and hear their loving voices again. I have really come to appreciate not only the comforts of my home, being in India, but when traveling I can really learn to appreciate the comforts of a home. I'm actually looking forward to my hard, inch thick bed roll and Amma's spicy rice and dal, waking up at 5 am to sing with the kids, and cuddles and kisses from their adoring faces. Its funny how quickly a foreign place can become your home.

As for the farm, well lets just say I can't wait to smell the fresh air back home.

Elephants, and Camels, and Monkeys, Oh My!

We have been in Jaipur for less than three days but it feels like so much longer. We have played with a baby elephant in an elephant colony, watched decorated elephants and camels march in a parade, had chai with some monks and their gurus in a temple on a mountain covered with macaque monkeys, were attacked by a band of Holi-crazed Indian bikers, felt violated by some handsy textile merchants, experienced an Indian night club (don't worry Dovey, we're fine!), scaled a second story balcony when we got locked out of our guesthouse, and been covered head to toe in a plethora of Holi colors, just to name a few. It has been quite an experience thus far! Though we are having an amazing time, we find ourselves really missing the kids back at New Hope and often ask each other, 'I wonder what they're doing right now....' When we left Nishmitha was in tears and it broke our hearts and left us wondering what final goodbyes will be like months from now. I am also missing my family more than ever right now. As we experience more and more, it just reminds me of all that I wish I could be sharing with them. Though my sisters travel everywhere with me, tucked inside my locket, I wish I could talk to them and tell them all I am doing! Ahh, the life of a traveler is always bitter sweet. Next stop, Jaisalmer!

A Bumpy Ride

Last night was a large celebration at George's church for Lenti's first birthday. Lenti was brought here when she was four days old and has been taken in by George's family as their (unofficially adopted) daughter. They renamed her Johanna and cut her first lock of hair to consecrate the event. It was also the celebration of Praim's (George's nephew and a caretaker at the children's home) son Jonathan's 2nd birthday. All of the children from New Hope were in attendance and after the 2 hour service in Telugu, we were fed a big dinner of biryani rice (with chicken!), raita, and saffron kheer.

(Above right photo: George with Lenti aka Johanna and Jonathan)

How did we get them all there? Well, that's where it gets interesting.

Nina and I pondered this question while we all gathered outside the home as the hot sun was setting. Surely we couldn't afford to rent another bus like we did for the zoo trip. Thats when the truck pulled up.

We're all going to fit in that?

That's right, we fit more than 65 children and 7 adults into that truck and drove 30-45 minutes through the city of Bangalore. On the way there I had the pleasure of sitting up close and personal with the driver, straddling the stick shift as we wove through traffic. On the way home I was in the back with a feverish Nishmitha sick and sleeping on my lap in the dark truck bed with screaming (and crying and fighting and sleeping) children packed in like sardines. There were only a few minor injuries and we made it home without losing anyone out the back. Thank God!

the view from the back of the truck

After that, I feel a little more deserving of the trip Nina and I are embarking on today. For the next ten days we will be traveling through Rajasthan, hitting up the Elephant and Holi Festivals in Jaipur and taking an overnight camel trek in the desert in Jaisalmer, possibly heading through Pushkar and some other places along the way. We are stoked to see some more of the country, see elephants, get covered in colored dye powder at Holi, and sample some North Indian cuisine. We are going to miss the kids so much, but will return refreshed with new experiences to share.

Bald Babes

I felt bad when beautiful little Nishmitha had to get her head shaved due to the lice infestation (although she didn't seem to mind) so I put the crafting materials sent by my mom and sister to good use and made her this bejeweled headband so that she could still feel like a girl.

These two wear bald so well!

Nithin (looking studly in his new Thomas underoos!) getting the big sister evil eye from Nishmitha over a lunch of bisi bele bhath

Salty. Spicy. Sweet.

My new favorite snack. Don't knock it till you've tried it!

Fresh pineapple dipped in a chili powder/salt mixture. Divine!

Proud Mama

When I first arrived here in Bangalore, Nina and I were assigned four girls to be solely responsible for: Angel, Maria, Nakshathra, Nishmitha (and of course little Nithin has jumped in our mix.) In the beginning I was a little apprehensive about working with Nakshathra. She was quiet, subdued, barely made a peep or smiled, and she just looked so sad. Her backstory was dismal to say the least....the loss of both parents, then her beggar/caretaker grandmother, and after becoming settled here at New Hope, her and her brother were taken by her selfish older sister to live on the streets for a year and care for her own children so that she could work. To top it all off, during our first study session, I learned that though her books were quite advanced, she couldn't read a single word of english. She didn't speak or understand much either.

At first, the task of starting all over with her seemed daunting. I wondered how she had been placed in a class with such advanced work, and how had the teachers not realized she was so lost? I was concerned that she might have a learning disability because she was so far behind her friend Angel. I wondered how she felt in school when she knew nothing of what was going on around her. I worried that she was anxious and overwhelmed and felt uncomfortable or out of place. I was quite bewildered and intimidated with the situation, but with some advice from my wonderful mother who home-schooled me in my early years and taught me to read, as well as some teacher friends, we hit the books, starting with the alphabet, sounds, and small like-sounding words. Slow at first, progress started being made, but you can only hold a child's attention for so long with a boring pen and paper. When the other volunteer Mary came, she brought educational games, first time reading books, and other books we could read to the kids, and the improvement started to quicken. My mom sent flashcards of letters, phonics, sight words, numbers, and math, and both Nakshathra and the younger Nishmitha and Nithin seemed to be really catching on! Nakshathra is no longer just guessing at words, looking up to me for the answer, but really sounding them out and beginning to understand what they mean. We beam like proud mothers when we see her face light up with excitement when she overcomes another obstacle.

A Happy Nakshathra playing a singing game during one of our many daily power outages.

Though last week after a teary encounter with Amma during prayer time, (Amma is the endearing term for grandmother, a woman who lives downstairs with us and helps with cooking and cleaning) we were worried we may have hit a bump in the road. Amma can be tough, and had somewhat mocked her for not being able to read english, and having trouble with her Kannada (her mother tongue) too. Not only were Nina and I shocked to speechlessness at what we were witnessing, we were also worried that it may discourage or derail her learning process. We brought her aside and made sure to let her know how proud we were of her and how far she had come. The next night during prayer time, when usually the Bible reading is done by Angel or Maria, Nakshathra volunteered to read from the english Bible. We were ecstatic! Though it was a slow and stumbling process, she got through a few verses with some help, and her friends clapped and cheered for her accomplishment. The smile on her face and pride in her puffed up chest nearly brought tears to our eyes. Angel turned to me and said, 'Auntie when we came down here [from living upstairs with the others] not one word could she read. And now....!' Then yesterday after school, again Angel came to me to say that during an oral exam that day, their teachers asked how Nakshathra had learned so much so fast. We couldn't contain our excitement! When others notice progress, you really know you are making a difference. To see how proud she is of herself is so heartwarming and encouraging to witness. Not only has she come so far in her studies, but she has really come out of her shell, playing, talking, laughing, cuddling up to us, and even sometimes coming to us when she has problems. She has a habit of going a little off her rocker just around dinner time, or the 'witching hour,' and can often be heard cackling like a hyena, music to our ears.

Though being around my sisters family and kids has prepared me for future motherhood in so many ways, this experience has really helped me to learn to deal with the stickier situations. When I came here I was skilled in diaper changing, potty training, teaching babies to talk, cuddling, feeding, burping, playing, bathing, and many other motherly duties. Now I have been exposed to children who have felt tremendous loss, abandonment, deep sadness, and physical harm. I have learned to teach them when we have no common grounds of communication other than our hands and our hearts. I am amazed at how quickly they can absorb knowledge when they are in a nurturing environment conducive to love and learning, and love of learning.

We still have a long way to go, but if we have made even the littlest impact in one child's life, then this whole experience has been worth it.

Do You Know What You're Missing?

Sunday was quite an eventful day. We had another special lunch (with cake!) provided by a sponsor who came to celebrate their daughter's 2nd birthday with the children here. We also had several family visitors, and thanks to my wonderful mom and sister (Dovey and Kitten, respectively) and their love-filled bundles, we had lots of new activities to do! The late afternoon was filled with frisbee, rocket balloons, face paint, beaded bracelets, and treats.

Meow.

Visits from the family can be bitter sweet. Sometimes the child is here because their family simply cannot provide for them, but wish they could and clearly love their children very much. Then there are the true orphans and the abandoned, those who don't get visitors, but you can tell they desperately wish they did. It breaks my heart to see them watching, longing for that connection that the others have. A connection to whatever a 'normal' life is, a connection with a 'normal' family.

Suraj and his mother during a weekend visit

There are also parents who seem to come every once in a while out of obligation, the ones who've dropped their kids here to get them out of their hair so that they could afford to live selfishly without the burden of a child. Such is the case with little Nithin (3 1/2) and Nishmitha (5). From what I have been told, their mother brought them here because they were a 'hindrance to her happiness,' and during past visits had refused to see Nithin all together. When she arrived yesterday with a new unknown man in tow (such is her pattern), the two little ones stood hesitantly next to her not sure of what to do at first. This surprised me since they will run full speed into our arms and smother us with hugs and kisses if they haven't seen us for just a few hours. She stayed for a short time, feeding them candy and biscuits, and when she left them sobbing at the gate, we were there to pick up the pieces. I cannot fathom how a mother could leave her children without so much as a tear to be shed, how she can waste these precious moments that will be gone in the blink of an eye. Nithin and Nishmitha bring everyone around them such joy, and I wish she knew what she was missing. I have grown especially attached to these beautiful babies and already dread the day when I leave here and am forced to say my goodbyes. There is something different about Nithin and Nishmitha, the two youngest here. They love without reservation or hesitation. They will give you their whole heart and you can see that receiving love in return fills them with pure and innocent joy. Like all of the children here they are gracious, caring, adaptable, adorable, affectionate, and sweet.

Nithin and Nishmitha

It is amazing that out of such trials, all of these children have risen to be the best they can be. To show love and give care to each other to the capacity that they do is incredible, coming from a life where they knew little or no love, and where they had no one to care for them. These children have their priorities straight, something most adults still have trouble with. It just goes to show how much we really can learn from them.

Let it Shine

Our girls Nakshathra, Maria, and Angel teaching their new song to the rest of the children

A Night With The Widows

Last night we had the pleasure of heading back to Chettappa Garden, Jeevanahalli to spend some time with the widows in HHI's old and young widows empowerment program. We are able to provide them with a small monthly stipend and a snack as well as counseling if they desire it. I had the opportunity to hand out their allocation and meet each woman. The ages range from very young mothers to elderly women, and each graciously accept our assistance with hope in their hearts. The turnout was somewhat low at this meeting, but the allowance was left with Jyothi's brother-in-law so that the women who were sick or otherwise unable to attend could still come to collect their money when they could. Last night was especially exciting as we were able to provide the widows with a sewing machine funded by Big Family Mission. The women will now be able to us this as a tool to widen their employment options. It is a very humbling and incredible experience to be able to spend time with these women, as well as be a part of an organization that is so dedicated to helping the helpless and loving the unloved.

A widow praying over the new sewing machine

Trying out the new machine!

Thanks Big Family Mission!

The One Month Mark

I have been living in India for one month now and can honestly say that I have learned an incredible amount, and if I were to leave today, already my life would be changed forever. The things that used to dominate my thoughts seem to have grown so insignificant, and my patience and tolerance have grown immensely. Not only have I discovered the ins and outs of a new and intriguing culture, but I have learned to be resourceful and well-acclimated to a new and completely different environment, all while building and strengthening my faith and spirituality. They say that children can be the best teachers, and I for one can attest to that. These children are incredible, I cannot say that enough. When faced with adversity, they rise and overcome with smiles on their faces. They are stronger than I ever could have been at their age, and at times I think, stronger than I am now.

Sometimes when you come to a place that is not socially, politically, or economically on the same page as where you are from, it is easy to want to push your ideals on someone else, or to think that the way you live would suit them much better. But, just as someone who is used to perching on a porcelain throne would be uncomfortable squatting over a hole, the person who is used to a pit-toilet or ditch would feel awkward and out of place sitting on a cold, hard seat and wonder, 'What am I supposed to do with this roll of paper?' When faced with these situations, you must have an open mind and an open heart, accept their way of living as if it were your own, and realize that these things that seem to be so different are really quite analogous. One of the best pieces of advice I have ever gotten was to remember that all of our struggles are relative. They are relative to who we are, where we live, how we grew up. It would be ignorant of me to feel pity for the person who doesn't have a western toilet with a seat and flush, when in reality that is not at all what they want or need.

Not to say that this hasn't been a high hurdle to leap. There have been times when I want to say 'You know there wouldn't be so much trash and filth everywhere if people would just use a dust bin!' or show them how a spoon scoops up rice really well and keeps your hands clean at the same time. It has been difficult not to cry out when a child is smacked (out of affection or discipline) because that is just the way they do it in this culture. When Nina asked Benny, 'Do mom's beat their kids?' he replied, 'Yes, it's for joke! That is illegal in your place right?' The first time I saw a child get struck, tears filled my eyes, quickly cascading down my cheeks as I turned away. When we insisted the kids keep their hands to themselves, they looked at us bewildered and didn't quite understand why we wouldn't tolerate hitting. Here, a smack is a sign of affection between friends or from adult to child, and a way of keeping the kids, and each other, in line (I have seen older children spank and scold the younger ones and often hear shouts of 'Auntie!! Beating!' when this is happening.) I don't like it, and I'm not comfortable with it, but who am I to walk in and try to change everything they have ever known?

I have learned to solve problems unconventionally, such as what do you do when a toddler who's not wearing a diaper or underwear has diarrhea in his sleep in a place where they don't use wipes or flushing toilets? (The answer is get a bucket, thank God there are drains in the bathroom floor, and pray that Amma wakes up to help.) I have learned that kids who will share their food and candy still don't like to share the spotlight, and that it doesn't matter where he's from, a teenage boy will check himself out in every reflective surface he comes across. But more than anything, I have learned and will continue to learn, the great depths of love. The depth of God's love, the love that we must reflect to others in this life. Love that is unconditional, unwavering, and pure, love that teaches others how to love, how to give love, and how to receive love. I believe that love is something we will never be able to comprehend to its full capacity, something that is ever-growing, ever-changing, unfolding before us like a rare majestic flower....something that is bigger than all of us combined.

But I do understand it enough to know that none of us can live without it. And no one should ever have to.

The soul is healed by being with children.

-Fyodor Dostoevsky

New Hope's New Children!

We are excited to welcome three new children to the New Hope family! Siblings Thomas, Joseph, and Monica arrived yesterday and will be staying with us for at least one year. Their mother has taken a job in Delhi in North India and cannot take them with her. Their father's whereabouts are unknown, but their grandmother lives in the area and we are hoping that she will visit from time to time and continue a relationship with the children while they are staying here. It is important for such young children (Monica is the youngest at 4 years old) to maintain a sense of family unity, especially when separated. Though they don't speak much english, they appear to be happy and seem to be adjusting well. I am really looking forward to getting to know these three!

Thomas, Joseph, and Monica

Catch Ya Later Cooties

Look Auntie, no lice!

Nithin sporting his new louse-free buzz cut!

Nits.

Before I came to India I was warned of the well-known issue of head lice and ordered to 'wear your babushka!' and tie my hair back. Only now am I realizing just how bad it actually is. What I thought in the beginning were large chunks of dandruff standing out from the dark strands of the children's hair, I have come to find out have been nits. It is not unusual to see crouching children picking through each others hair pulling out 'things' (that you are really hoping aren't what you know they are) like little monkeys looking for a snack.

We had purchased several rounds of lice shampoo at the town chemist and were waiting for an opportune time to sterilize our girls (and Nithin.) When yesterday little Nishmitha pulled a tiny black bug from her head and handed it to me, I thought we have no time to waste! Luckily today was a school holiday and a perfect opportunity. You'd think the kids would be bummed to hear, 'No school! Now lets spend the day stripping you of lice!' but they were actually excited. I guess when you live everyday with bugs in your hair, the chance to get rid of them is a celebration. So while I bathed and lathered them with anti-lice treatment in the bathroom, Nina sat outside with a bucket and comb picking out lice and nits one by one. Fortunately for us, most of the girls have short hair as a bad bout of lice a few months ago warranted a head shaving all around. Angel on the other hand has longer hair and is completely infested. We soon realized that it's going to take a few rounds of this. On the bright side, since lice is just a part of life around here, the kids don't really get embarrassed when they are on display getting the once over (or twice, or three times) with a fine toothed comb.

Needless to say, I have been paranoid about my own long locks being contaminated by these nasty little creatures. Though I have had Nina check my head repeatedly and she assures me I am clean, I still have the phantom itch. We have instituted the 'no children in our room' policy and will probably treat ourselves with the parasite poison just to be on the safe side.

Bucket-O-Lice

Manifest Destiny

All life is a manifestation of the spirit, the manifestation of love.

-Morihei Ueshiba

(pillowcase created by the wonderful and talented Elizabeth Seghezzi)

God who is eternally complete, who directs the stars, who is the master of fates, who elevates man from his lowliness to Himself, who speaks from the cosmos to every single human soul, is the most brilliant manifestation of the goal of perfection.

-Alfred Adler

1.3.11

Rabbit Rabbit!