Adventures
This at-home feeling depresses one's creative spark for regularly informing on one's day to day activities.
Adventures have been limited since returning to Gandhinagar.
One lazy Sunday we ventured out to retrieve mummy from the rail station (she had gone to Delhi for two days). We found the roads packed with cars, bikes and people heading to the Air Show. On the return leg of our trip we were chatting amongst ourselves amidst a traffic jam when: THUD POP! went the car roof
"What was that?"
"I think this tree drop a branch on us."
"Oh, okay."
A moment later: THUD POP! went the roof again.
"Someone must be throwing bricks!"
The driver got out to inspect the matter. His face showed no concern when looking at the roof of the car. He asked a nearby car if they saw what had happen. Indeed they did: monkeys.
Both mummy and papa said they had never had that happen to them. And here it happened with me in the car, nonetheless.
When we returned home the only evidence of the events were barely-there dusty foot prints from the little beasts. Only in Indian traffic jam! (well I'm sure that isn't entirely true)
Creativity Flows
While adventures may be ebbing for the meanwhile, my creativity flows.
I've been engrossed in painting, writing, reading, listening to music and to world news (I finally realized the benefit of NPR and BBC streaming radio).
Given the dryness of the region, the painting medium of choice has been watercolor because it can be easily refreshed when it dries out. I've managed four small pieces and am currently working on a larger scale replacement for the piece that some of you may recall seeing in our living room at our old apartment in Mountain View.
I'm just crazy about representing the natural elements. It's immensely soothing to say the least.
With regard to writing, I'm in the process of producing a novel. Yes, a novel. I have a trilogy outlined actually. The first installment is already 30+ pages complete and under routine review by my writing group and my husband.
I know it seems like a risk in mentioning all this here, but I figure that it is time to state my intentions publicly so that I ensure myself that I will follow through.
As for reading, I've completed Malgudi Days, The God of Small Things, The Bhagavad Gita, and Pilgrimage: One Woman's Return to a Changing India (which is a not-so current event book). I'm working on the Ramayana and a new Garcia Marquez book (that's just brain candy for me).
I'm trying to get a flavor for the breadth of quality in classic and contemporary Indian literature. I finding it very interesting and thought provoking.
Also, I'm exploring more contemporary Indian music. I picked up an excellent cd called Sona (which is self titled). Highly recommend it.
AND FINALLY...
I've begun a month long intensive training of classic Indian dance called Kathak.
I can't speak much of the experience so far other than sore legs. I've had one instruction period. I'll train four days a week through the rest of this month.
Upon my first lesson I was welcomed as the guru's (master teacher) student. She anointed my head with vermilion and rice. I touched her feet. I then anointed a statue of Saraswati with vermilion and rice as well.
To honor Mother Earth (the stage for my dance) I sat on the floor to tie on my ankle bells. One hundred for each ankle.
I then performed the Namaste that begins each dance and began my lesson.
This time I was only learning the basic footwork, but more will soon come.
I was told that my guru will call the local newspaper to do a write-up on Western interest in learning classical Indian dance. I will also likely perform for others. I hope I can do it justice.
In the meanwhile, I am about to join a 'pool party' (it is sans the pool and much like a potluck but with more direction).
Wishing you all well...
Peace,
A Pink American
I've been engrossed in painting, writing, reading, listening to music and to world news (I finally realized the benefit of NPR and BBC streaming radio).
Given the dryness of the region, the painting medium of choice has been watercolor because it can be easily refreshed when it dries out. I've managed four small pieces and am currently working on a larger scale replacement for the piece that some of you may recall seeing in our living room at our old apartment in Mountain View.
I'm just crazy about representing the natural elements. It's immensely soothing to say the least.
With regard to writing, I'm in the process of producing a novel. Yes, a novel. I have a trilogy outlined actually. The first installment is already 30+ pages complete and under routine review by my writing group and my husband.
I know it seems like a risk in mentioning all this here, but I figure that it is time to state my intentions publicly so that I ensure myself that I will follow through.
As for reading, I've completed Malgudi Days, The God of Small Things, The Bhagavad Gita, and Pilgrimage: One Woman's Return to a Changing India (which is a not-so current event book). I'm working on the Ramayana and a new Garcia Marquez book (that's just brain candy for me).
I'm trying to get a flavor for the breadth of quality in classic and contemporary Indian literature. I finding it very interesting and thought provoking.
Also, I'm exploring more contemporary Indian music. I picked up an excellent cd called Sona (which is self titled). Highly recommend it.
AND FINALLY...
I've begun a month long intensive training of classic Indian dance called Kathak.
I can't speak much of the experience so far other than sore legs. I've had one instruction period. I'll train four days a week through the rest of this month.
Upon my first lesson I was welcomed as the guru's (master teacher) student. She anointed my head with vermilion and rice. I touched her feet. I then anointed a statue of Saraswati with vermilion and rice as well.
To honor Mother Earth (the stage for my dance) I sat on the floor to tie on my ankle bells. One hundred for each ankle.
I then performed the Namaste that begins each dance and began my lesson.
This time I was only learning the basic footwork, but more will soon come.
I was told that my guru will call the local newspaper to do a write-up on Western interest in learning classical Indian dance. I will also likely perform for others. I hope I can do it justice.
In the meanwhile, I am about to join a 'pool party' (it is sans the pool and much like a potluck but with more direction).
Wishing you all well...
Peace,
A Pink American
