THANK GOD ITS INDIAN!!!
wHEN you don't have furniture or toys you improvise with medical tape, egg cartons and leftover blue stickies. Or better yet, empty water bottles.





I don't think I will call the snake catcher although supposedly the snakes here are poisonous. If I die of a snake bite I think it is auspicious as I am born in the year of the snake and I speak parseltongue. Ask me about my snake story.






This is the map I made after going around with Malini who was our relocation expert. I am not going to go negative but she didn't do diddly.

The current administration in Bangalore has decided that drinking and dancing don't mix. They have enacted a law that bans the two together in one club. Also all nightclubs must now close at 11 pm. Bangalore is an international city known for its nightlife and the locals and foreigners are in an uproar.

This god figure overlooks our veranda. Who is it?

August 16

More Mysore sweets!!! Special Mysore Pak from C. We are now addicted.
And kitty girl smells the ghee, yum.

Why do I feel especially guilty for wanting some personal time? Is it because I think my daughter who is adopted should never sense that I don't want to be with her? I do feel I am wrong for getting upset when she exhausts me. It doesn't help when I think, “Well, you signed on for this.” The problem isn't me, or my cranky daughter but we won't delve into this.

My friend is out visiting another mom who has an adopted baby here in India. Mine is napping so we are here waiting for the Internet dude to come and get us back on line. After two weeks of promises from the government network system to show up and connect our Internet we went with a local guy who could come right away and was cheaper. Unfortunately, it is not working and he will have to come back to solve the problem.

We went for a quick dip in the pool and lunch. Sadly, the water was a bit cold for the baby (and me too) and she was not really enjoying herself as much as she has because of her sore teething gums. The food at the club is quite good, especially all the Indian fare. They make dosas in the evening and I suspect they are good. I am looking forward to trying them out. One of the American kids played with us for a little while. She is a natural with babies and has a nice temperament. I haven't had the chance to chat with her mom.

The plumber came today to fix our water heater. It seems the downstairs water is scalding and the upstairs water is tepid. After replacing all the washers on the heater pipes because they were burnt out the plumber told Mr. D that we can't leave the water heaters on or it will cause damage. This was a piece of information that would have been helpful.

We aren't able to get any international papers yet but I am really not ready to give up. India Times is really not a very good paper but it is fine for local stuff. I had hoped for more world coverage and less glamor. I guess the web will have all the information I need.

Tonight H will go to the ashram for satsang which starts after 7 pm. Us chickens will stay home and mind the marble floors

What do you do with a one year old on a Friday night? Give them a bucket and all is made right.

August 15
India's Independents Day

I am still looking for a good video/music/book store. I might have to go to the next town. There are absolutely no walking parks nearby. Only in Bangalore. We have our water delivered and the newspaper (India Times) will be delivered tomorrow.

Yesterday we went to the Police Commissioner's Office to register as resident foreigners. Getting into town was a real crazy traffic nightmare. We got stuck on MG road which has major construction of the new Metro train. Think Big Dig.

This morning Sanbate led us to the playground and Emma's family. Emma is just in from London and has twin three year olds and a baby girl Sanbate's age. We also met Anuja, her husband and son who is the same age as our baby. Anuja has been living in Palm Meadows since before her son was born and she has also lived in San Francisco AND Boston and the midwest. Both ladies seem very nice. Their husbands also.

Friend C comes again today! For two nights! We will pick her up at the local station instead this time and hope that she is able to make the connection at Bangalore.

I watched the rest of Deewar last night with Amitab Bachan and Shashi Kapoor. Altho' it is quite melodramatic and old (with really fake blood) I enjoyed the story line- Two brothers on either side of the law, fighting for their heroic mother's love. As much as I like Shashi, Amitab is peerless.

The stream of my consciousness during our crazy move to India.
We are finally online!!!!!

August 2
I am sitting upstairs in our new house in a suburb of Bangalore in an empty room while Sanbate cries downstairs. It is 11pm and she will most likely be up for a few hours as that has been her pattern. She has jet lag on top of her fitful sleep it is no good. I am typing on my computer which has only a little bit of battery charge left as we don't have adapters- Mr. assured me the house was set up with several western style outlets. But he was mistaken.

We arrived yesterday from Frankfurt having been delayed a day due to a missed flight ( our second stop in Chicago departed two hours late and we did not make the flight out of Frankfurt). It looked grim because of a Lufthansa strike, they are the only airline that allows cats. All planes flying to India were fully booked. We had no choice but to put ourselves on the waiting list and check ourselves into the Sheridan at the Frankfurt Airport. This was paid for by United Airlines, who made us late in the first place.

When we went up to our room and opened the door we could see that the room had not been cleaned. When we called down to reception they told us we would have to come down to the lobby again until they sorted it out. Sanbate was bobbing in and out of sleep. We had two cats. And two bags and a car seat. I entered the reception area with an explosion and asked, “What is going on!!!!” I then asked them why a porter had not been sent to help us up to our room or back down again. “Is it because of the way we look?” They apologized (amid smirks at the drama of it) and later sent us a basket of fruit.

That night we were confirmed on the next non-stop to Bangalore via Lufthansa.
The next morning we overslept and made a mad dash to the airport. We went to the gate and it had been changed, (to the other side of the airport).

We finally made it (25 minutes later because we had to go through security twice) and as they were boarding us the flight attendant said, “One of you has been bumped up to Business class.” We told them we wanted to stay together in economy. They put us all in Business, (even though their policy is no cats in Business).

I just helped Mr. D move a mattress upstairs so he can sleep- as the baby still cries. She is a tenacious crier, and seems to do it with Mucho Mucho Gusto.

I will take a shower and hope they both sleep.

August 3
Tonite we ate at a fine Indian restaurant. There were live musicians playing popular hindi songs in the form of gazals. The baby fell into a deep sleep in her chair and we were able, for the first time it seemed, to eat and socialize with the people we were dining with.

Aug. 4
Husband worked late tonite and the baby and I went to the clubhouse, (which is part of our “community”) to play in the playroom. This is the only place where she can play freely and safely. A little toddler named Peter became enamored of her and began to chase her around the room trying to steal a hug or pat or kiss. At first our girl tolerated it and then she grew impatient and began to cry in frustration as he was making her fall and keeping her from playing. We had to put a restraining order on him.

We came home and ate my first home cooked meal since we arrived; veggie channa masala with brown rice. Our kitchen window looks out onto our street and the baby loves to watch as she eats. While it is a quiet street, there are always children walking or riding by and excitement (women carrying large bundles of branches or a man bicycling with a yellow lawnmower for example).

The last few nights she has been falling asleep without worry and tonite she is finally camped out in her permanent room. We founds some “ready made” blue curtains for her room which keep it dark when the they are drawn.

Our villa has marble floors, a lovely veranda off our bedroom and 3 full baths. There are some funny things about it tho' like the toilet seats which are all rickety and uncomfortable and no basement (no storage). We don't know what we are going to do with our bikes, and gardening/outdoor/hardware stuff. It may have to go on the roof. The screens on the windows are Velcro around the edges so you have do undo them to open windows.

We have a driver and a house cleaner who both seem competent and reliable. I am still overwhelmed by the lack of personal time. I savor these moments after the girl falls asleep. It feels like a mini vacation. I realize everything will always change and soon she will be more independent. This moving around has been a strain on her and with the teething and jet lag etc. She has a reason to be cranky. I just wish it didn't make me crazy.

She has developed this shrill squeal that she unloads when she wants something she can't have. It triggers in me some wild lion momma instincts and I just want to swipe her with my paw. Instead I sit her down and firmly say “no” which makes her even more angry. I guess I could distract her with something else but that always seemed dishonest to me. Why not let your baby face the facts? Some things are off limits. I guess you could say I am working through this one.

The cats have been sleeping with us through the night. This is not the norm for Sissy but they have both been staying close since we arrived. Sissy is also eager to go back out onto the veranda but when she went out for the first time we had a hard time getting her back. She went out on the roof (on the tiles) and then onto the eaves. I believe she would have stayed out all night as she did in Ohio but for my insistent calling.

August 4
Husband went to Singapore tonite and I did not want to sleep so instead read Jon K.'s sensationalistic book on fundamentalist Mormons. I don't know if I should believe it as it seems so unreal and crazy AND I have close friends and family members who are Mormon. The baby woke up just as I was falling asleep at 11pm. She came to bed with me and slept reluctantly doing her thrashing business first. Mind you we went swimming and to the playroom before dinner which should have tired her out. Well, on the upside I didn't get angry at her.

August 5
I wish we were online. The internet dudes persist in giving us false dates for hook up. Why do they do that here? Why not just say, “We are booked solid for the next two weeks. We will come on this date and no later.”? I found out yesterday there is a yahoo group for mothers in this community. As soon as I am able to get access I will be able to find out what activities are available for our girl.



We now have a washing machine. Yay! But will never have a drier. :( Clothes are hung from a drying rack that has a pulley system which hugs the ceiling as the clothes dry. It is at the top of the stairway so one has to be extra careful of wet marble stairs. Also when the electricity goes out (which happens every other day)our generator is only capable of powering small appliances and lights, not the washer, AC, fridge, or convection/microwave oven.

Girl fell asleep at 9am this morning. I wonder if this means we are back to two naps or what???

We have a land line and a dorky retro (80's) phone. In addition to this line we will have our Vonage phone (with our old number folks) and our respective cell phones.

August 6
We have had a power outage since 8 this morning. No wash today. There is a little 15 month old red-head who lives here and she was in attendance today in the playroom. She is doing all the same things baby girl is doing; pushing furniture around, climbing and sliding with recklessness, rocking things, playing chase, and teething like crazy.

Today is another two nap day. Last night was a good sleep night for girl but unfortunately Sissy decided it was her turn and she meowed all night. When I came downstairs in the morning I noticed there was no cat food out.

Long time friend from Diner days is studying in Mysore and will be coming tomorrow for a quick visit and then at the end of the month for a longer one. I am really looking forward to it.

Husband comes home from Singapore tonite.

August 7
Yesterday we had a peeping Tom in our downstairs french windows. He was young (17?) tall with bad posture and a red shirt. I called out to him, “Can I help you?” and he said something like, “No ma'am you don't have to come to the door...” as he ran quickly away. This makes me anxious. But honestly, I am in the midst of a paranoia fest. Per usual the manual laborer men give me dirty looks. But strangely their female counterparts do not. Our driver and cleaning person are very kind to us and the baby so... I feel I need to investigate this matter.

My long time friend comes today!!!
I was going to go pick her up but the driver told us that it is a long drive to the central Bangalore station (one and a half hours) and that the express train isn't always punctual. So we decided to send the driver (Suresh) ahead with my friend's cell number and description.

My blessed, saintly H brought two bottles of Laphroaig home last night. The sight of them, I confess, made me feel deliciously joyful. For those that don't know, this particular single malt has a particular smoky flavor I love AND since I have been enjoying it for many years, is no small comfort. This didn't stop me from being a complete rag this morning but in all fairness I believe I have reason to be intensely unpleasant upon occasion for the first few months here, regardless of the posh surroundings and domestic assistance. It boils down to time. To connect with others, assimilate, and problem-solve. None of which I have the energy or time for due to my daughter's dependence upon me.

That is right. She is that kind of kid. But perhaps all children of this age are high maintenance. I am also not the most patient person. However, I am learning. Instead of saying a flat out, “NO”, I am trying on different ways to say it kindly. She has yet to take it easily, but time marches on and everything is changing.

August 10

It was so good to see my friend. But hard for me to have her see me “this way”. Unpracticed, sad and empty. I am not able to offer the kind of friendship she deserves but I know she understands. It was nice to have a confessor for a day and she was very helpful yesterday when we went shopping.

This morning was a very difficult one. The challenges I have been “complaining” about are certainly tolerable but feeling friendless in a strange land is especially hard when Mr. D loses his patience and uses harsh words. I fall apart. Today felt especially impossible and I wonder how many more days like this I can continue to plow through. Is it entitlement I feel, in essence, how could this happen to me? Or am I growing? I can't help but dislike the way my life feels right now. I know I should choose to go to the Ashram this afternoon for satsang but it is a long drive and we were in the car with the baby half the day yesterday and I am in a poor state of being to be singing bhajans and celebrating life. Right now I am sick of bhajans, I would like to beat my life with a stick, and I want my dad. And I am not even on line right now so I am talking to myself. Sad.

August 11
We went to the Ashram and it was lovely, despite constant stares at the white lady with the brown baby. The driver got lost on the way home and Mr. D got mad. This was humorous as he rarely loses it around anyone but me.

The frozen peas here are not sweet. This was a harsh reality for boo because I have relied on them as emergency food. She likes them frozen for her teething gums. !!!!!

I know I am a huge whiner right now. So, with that in mind I am going to make a list of things I like or am thankful for in India.

I am thankful for my friend C who has come to visit and remains steadfast in spite of the above.
I am thankful that my daughter has a sense of humor.
I am thankful that my husband is not a Fundamentalist.
I like that the trash collectors are women in saris with flowers in their hair.
I like Mysore sweets and Mysore sesame tahini.
I still love the feel of clean marble on my bare feet.
I am thankful for Hema, our cleaner.
I am thankful for the playroom at club.
I like that the ashram is only an hour away.
I am grateful for AC when the weather is hot.
I am grateful for my computer and all the music on it.
I am grateful for clean water.
I am grateful for fresh sour dough bread at our local store.
I like eggs in a bag.
I like ready made clothing as it is very inexpensive and fun.
I am thankful the cats are healthy and happy.
I love the veranda.
I like palm trees swaying in the wind.
I like when people smile.
I enjoy watching the foot traffic that passes our kitchen window.



August 12

Today Malini, the relocation agent, is taking Suresh, the baby and me out to the local stores and get familiar with the area. Suresh is a local but as he tends to get lost (it seems), we thought it best if he came.

The things I am interested in finding are local:

DVD rental place (larger selection)
Music and Book store (ditto)
Internet browsing cafe
Coffee shop
walking park ( at least a mile walk)
ready made clothing (for babies and women)
household items
Florist (delivery?)
Indian sweets

Services we would like:
Newspaper delivery ( one local Bangalore and one international)
Water delivery
Milk delivery (fresh) 2x week
Egg delivery (fresh) 2x week
Vegetable and Fruit delivery (carrots, cauiflower, onions, garlic, cucumber, apples, mango, avacado, babanas etc.)

I guess you could say I am in a sort of breakdown. I am not sure what to post. We are leaving in 3 days and I don't really know what I am capable of at this time. If I asked myself about leaving for India one month ago, I would have said "I am reconciled to it," but now I feel truly lost. I am also feeling really distant to/from Mr. D. And angry. And sad. The longing I am feeling for my family is very painful. And I am afraid Sanbate is feeling my inbalance too.

There are many things for us to do before we leave. I don't have energy for any of them.

The postal service has lost our package so we will not have our vonage number, I wonder if vonage will allow us to have a new box but same number. I guess this is a minor issue considering.

Today we will go to the water park to celibrate cousin Sujaya's birthday.

The cats have had their required shots and now we need to send off their food- A bag of food will cost us 200+ dollars dhl and 50+ usps. With our experience with usps we don't trust but the cost difference is prohibitive.

More later.

We are in Maine.

Hi Dad,
I miss you.
We are all here together and it is amazing! We are really getting it! The lesson you have been teaching us all along. To give each other lots of room to make mistakes and to love each other in our own individual ways. We love you so much. And it has been wonderful to see all the children in our family. Mum is doing really well but she misses you so much. I am so sad to be leaving for India at this time when I should be at home with mum and everyone, processing the grief and moving along but I will be so far away instead. Don't worry, I know you will be with me always. I hope I don't mess up when I get up to speak about you. Will you help me say the right things? I really want to mention your wish to have meditation in the Christian church. I hope I can articulate that without sounding preachy. Anyway. Talk to you soon.

Love,
Your daughter

I wonder how often I will be able to blog in India. It seems here I never get the chance.

The update for our move is that we are moving early. (!?)

As things were Mr.D wouldn't be able to stay with us after the move for more than a couple of weeks. He is quite happy we are going early because he is missing the girl so much. Our new travel dates are now July 29th instead of August 17th. We will not be here for cousin S's 7th birthday :( but will go instead to King's Island to celebrate early before we leave.

We are defintely bringing the cats but not the birds.
We cannot fly business class (as planned) because they have a ban on cats.

Sanbate is now 24 pounds and I have lost more weight. Almost to my Chicago weight,
(10 years ago).

Our permanent resident visas should be arriving this week and the 24 lb. box Mr. D mailed on June 3 priority mail is still lost somewhere in the us postal system. The box contains our vonage box and many other important and personal items. I have been calling customer service of cincinnati for the last month. Rosalyn is handling our case. Maybe she will find more information on Monday.

Sister and I are going to take the Sahaj Samhadi course next weekend which is an intensive meditation practice. I have been a little bit short with the strong-willed girl and really need a little help staying peaceful in my gestures, (instead of growling at Sanbate every time she sticks her tongue through the bars and shakes the bird cage).

Yesterday marked the great cousin S's first official "I can swim in the deep end" day. After practicing floating for extended periods of time she was ready to try to swim across the deep end. She didn't seem surprised when she did it but was amused by my excitement.

Sanbate also had a first. She crawled into the pool (way over her head) and did not seem to be bothered by it one bit. No coughing or crying. In fact, she continued to try to crawl in backwards for the rest of our time at the pool. I think watching her older cousin has inspired her imitative self to exercise her gills.

First Tooth lost! Sanbate's cousin, the beauteous S surrendered her tooth to her valient brother K today. Incidently, last night was the first shaving day for the bold nephew, who is 14. What a day.

Sanbate has a cold. Her first illness since March's hospital visit. At night she tries to do bastrika (hard breathing through the nose) to clear herself out.

She has also become very CLEAR about what she wants and does not want. A very strong message at all times. This is I believe her true self coming out. It is funny because all my relatives say, "Oh she is so sweet and good-natured!" This is true but when you do something she doesn't like. LOOK OUT! Temper, temper. A lovely set of lungs, I must add.

It is hot here in Ohio, but we are staying in a very nice house and neighborhood with a pool. WE are able to stay cool.

Today we fed the ducks in the local pond with sister/cousin! When they saw us they came swimming toward us from the other side of the pond. It looked like the fleet had been given orders. There were also some large hungry fish that cleaned up the leftovers.

Yesterday I walked by the duck pond very early and had to dodge the sprinkler system. I was carrying the baby in the ergo and also coffee so it was quite comical, at least for me.

Oh me oh my oh,
Look at Miss Ohio.
She's runnin' around with the rag top down.
Says, "I wanna do right but not right now."

Did you know that I am (as my older sister puts it)
"The biggest b* in the world" ?
I can tell you there are some relatives in Ohio that would concur.
Today, I put my foot in it (again).

Its an adoption thing.
Its also a cultural thing.
Its also a family thing.
And no
thing is working in my favor right now.

My husband is having difficulties in India, (many).
My baby is confused and clingy.
I feel like I am going to explode and again I am friendless.
Aren't there any b****es out there who want to hang out with me and we can be mean together?

Our angel in Ohio

She loves the bhajans!

MASON, Ohio.
Here we are and this is the reason it took so long for me to update.
Our schedule is also a bit different and I have a little less time to blog.
Our main activity here in Ohio is swimming.

Our moving day was humorous, (that is if you are the type to think the unexpected is fun).

We left a bunch of stuff (bird cage, recycling bucket, gardening supplies, cardboard boxes).

We forgot our shipping receipt which is required for customs in India.
Our cleaning people did NOT clean the cupboards but casually slipped out after being paid. We mistakenly packed all the extra keys (for the garage and utility box) which will cost plenty to replace.

Sanbate is doing great except that she still doesn't sleep more than 12 hours (including naps). She loves the neighborhood pool. She eats up all the attention that her relatives are showering upon her.

We are trying to be patient with the Spice factor here. Everyone eats spicy food and Sanbate doesn't so when the family is preparing "mild" food, it isn't.

Baby cries so must fly.

Our house is quite empty. The packers came and packed up most of our belongings. They don't work on weekends (?) so they will be back to help us with the rest. We will have to mail several boxes to sister in law.

Last night we were excited to relax and watch a movie and LO! the packers had packed our netflix movie. I had to go down to the garage, which is brimming with boxes and open a few to find the movie. sigh.

Baby is cheerful but clingy and finally someone, (my friend Maria) noticed she is a bit DRAMAtic. That said she is coping with the echoing chamber of our home and dragging items from the suitcases all over with zeal.

First haircut and first earings!

With Sanbate on my lap I post.
Yesterday my car drove away. I think the baby knows somethings up cause I started crying and after we went for a walk she threw up her entire dinner in Mr.D's car. It was definitely not a flu purge. We came home and dissected the car seat cover and put it in the wash.

On an up note, Elianshu Sanbate's readopt is finalized. She will receive a certificate of citizenship and California birth certificate in 8 (!) months. We hope it will be forwarded to sister-in-laws. Regardless, she is now good to go.

First Bites Baby Tent

O! Sebastian

A bird and her head

Even though my birthday isn't for another week Mr. D gave me my birthday gift, a Flip video camera. This camera is very low tech and for some reason reminds me of a super 8. I think because it doesn't do a lot but it is easy to use and the picture is excellent and does not require flash or any fancy business. My only complaint is that it takes forever to publish on your computor and then forever again to upload onto Youtube. I shouldn't complain as it is a pretty nifty gift and if we have a decent connection in Bangalore I will be posting often for everyone to stay in tune with this growing miracle child.



We are lonely today because the kitties left with dad AND aunti Jayshree, uncle Subbu and cousin-sister Sujaya. The house is so quiet. We will pack a little and play. Here we are Peeking. Watch her little hand at the end crunching "good-bye".

I haven't posted in a few days and it has been quite an emotional week. Two major disappointments, one closer to heartbreak.

Our adoption agency decided to send their admin. liason on vacation when our readopt papers needed to be filed with the superior court. We are late making a hearing date and have been told there is no way we will get a hearing before August 15. We have flights out of California on the 16th of June so... the readopt may not happen at all until we return to the states which for me is a big problem. Luckily, Sanbate has a us passport.

The other problem is that our birds won't be joining us in India as the US is so strict about birds coming into the country there is a chance they wouldn't be allowed back. This put me in a funk for 2 days, crying and carrying on, as my bird Sebastian has been a huge support to me for the last 8 years, especially when I was single. She and I are extremely close and she is such a sweet, loving, and trusting bird. I am just shattered about it. :(

I am enjoying the company of our neice Sujaya and she has been absolutely great with the baby. We will be having a great summer together with Sujaya and her family in Ohio. At least I will be able to spend time with kitties and birdies then, because they will be living in Ohio while we are in India.

I know this isn't a polical blog but I just can't help it. I am crazy for Senator Barack Obama.

Knowing I may not be able to watch all the movies on my "list" I have been on a Kurosawa Kick. Movies by Kurosawa I recommend:
Ikiru
Throne of Blood (based roughly on Macbeth)
Hidden Fortress
Red Beard
Kagemusha
Stray Dog


I also recently enjoyed Harakiri by Masaki Kobayashi.

A new movie I LOVED which reminded me of a fresh Hal Hartly movie was:
Juno
!!!

It is hard to believe we are leaving soon, (4 weeks!). The cats are going to Cincinatti a week on Wednesday. That leaves birdies, (Sebastian and Scrap), Sanbate and me. There have been very few responses to the craigslist ad so we may as well have a freebie on the weekend. I haven't listed my car yet but who wouldn't take a perfect rav4? I will miss my car. It saved my life twice, once in a snow storm and another time on the highway driving 70 mph. I will also miss driving. How am I NOT going to get nauseous riding in the back seat? With the poor air quality etc.?
AW, Quit yer yappin' and get packin'!

Everybody loves a BOX!







Well, that is unless you are moving and have to fill them.
I have listed some stuff on Craigslist for free and for sale. Most of it sort of useless. I would like to just chuck it but that is not the right thing to do.

Sanbate is learning to eat with a fork and spoon. She loves her board books, especially the ones with animals.

It was hot last night! 91 degrees in our house.
Poor kitties were like little defeated pancakes. Sissy slept with her legs dangling to air them out and Missy licked ice cubes for an hour.

Sanbate in a bathing suit ;) and I went out back and filled up every large container we could find, watered plants and played in the water until Mr. D came home. The house was still stuffy at 7pm so we opened the rest of the windows and could hear the neighborhood cooling off.

Remember the nights at the houses of your "friends with children"?
How silly they seemed trying to get their kids to sleep?
How it appeared to you that they were playing the clown pretty well for their kids?
I just realized it is an actual game you play with your kids.


The Napping/Sleeping game:
(Can only be played after quiet time with a book)
Allow mom to rub back for 1 minute and then make her stop.
Lie still for 1-2 minutes and begin closing eyes.
When mom sits down at the edge of the bed, get up.
Refuse to lie down.
Let mom "help" you to lie down 3 or 4 times.
Wave by by to mom.
When she leaves, cry as loud and long as possible so that the neighbors (and dad) remark, "Wow, she is really upset!"
When mom comes in, clearly flustered, smile and start game over again.

When mom gets tired of the game and starts to cry or throw a pillow etc., it is time for the actual nap/sleep.

Well I blew it, (I guess I am overwhelmed with the move, posting stuff on Craigslist and worrying about how to do it with no friends and family to help us pack up)
ie:

I left my husband's car lights on. We should have known when the keys didn't unlock the car on Monday but didn't put two and two together.

Yesterday we discovered the error and my husband was furious at me and told me not for the first time, "you are so irresponsible!" He was planning on showing the car today to a prospective buyer. Last night was spent trying to get the battery out of the car, which required special tools. The job was not finished and today the battery needs to be replaced. (Why the hassle? Mercedez ML320)

Last night I did not sleep for nightmares(mine) and crying from our daughter and cats.Yes. Our cats cry in the night too, like ghosts.

This morning I woke up feeling broken down and the feeling has not gone away.

First Bruise



Today she earned her first bruise. I don't know what she fell on but she started crying very loudly and wanted to be held closely. I didn't notice the bruise on her cheek until we went through the car wash later. Why do I feel guilty? Because I was clear across the apartment and in another room when it happened.

Posting has been a challenge as the girl is so curious and wants to help. But the one item I am a "mean" mom about is the oven. Today I gave her a very loud NO! when she started fiddling with the knob on the range. Poor girl. She looked as if to say, "How strange. She just touched it a second ago."

My mom and dad made it to California but were stricken with sickness the entire (short) trip. Well, it is a good thing our plans weren't ambitious. We made it up to the Marin Headlands and to our favorite breakfast place in Sauselito. My sister's daughter caught the flu and her husband was in the middle of studying for certification exams so she wasn't able to come. Still, it was wonderful for my parents to see the baby and they will be able to share their trip with the rest of the family. E S was just so sweet and open to them which didn't come as a big surprise. Most orphan babies tend to be very trusting. It isn't necessarily a great thing but in this case, with my dad getting up there, it was a blessing. My parents were smitten.

These eyes...




I believe the stress from the excitement of having my parents and sister come and visit has taken its toll. A fight with Mr. D about moving to India. A karfuffle about the fact that the readoption may not be finished in time before we leave for Ohio. This is due to the fact that we prioritized getting Elianshu a passport and we were not able to send necessary documents for the readopt because they were being used for the passport.

And We have many things to accomplish in the next month:

Posting items on craigslist to sell i.e. cars and electronics/appliances. (The outlets in India are not compatable and one would need a serious overhall in the electric system in the house to use one's appliances and electronics).

Packing/Shipping and giving aways items we cannot or do not want to take with us: Lawn furniture, plants, lamps...

Stocking up on goods not available in India like medicines, vite supplements, toys, clothing...

Closing up accounts, and
Heavens NOOOOOO!!! Closing my New Yorker magazine account unless I can get them to send it to India. I am an avid and devoted fan of The New Yorker. I truly hope I can continue to read this one magazine. I absolutely love love love.

Forwarding mail.

Deciding what to bring for the summer in Cincinatti. I have sent a travel crib to my sister-in-laws. But what else aside from clothing do we need? Her car seat, toys, books and booster seat. But what else? Hmmmmmm....

She walks! Starting May 1st and now taking up to 20 steps. But who is counting. I am just getting ready to take a good video of it so wait a minute...

Operation Anti-Chaos: The Narrative on “White Voters” Is Fiction
By Al Giordano

I turn on the TV, read the political columnists (and a significant number of analytically-challenged bloggers, too) and all I hear is a bunch of white folk prattling on about their favorite narrative: “Obama’s losing white voters!”

They’ve swallowed the Clinton racially-obsessed spin, hook, line and sinker. Some, because they are gullible, haven’t an original idea in their little pea brains, and follow the pack of what everybody else is talking about. Others, because they like to toss around knowing falsehoods. Nary a superdelegate can go on Fox News without being berated by an anchorperson screeching (this is pretty close to an exact quote): “But your duty as a superdelegate is to select the most electable and that’s Hillary Clinton!” That these anchorpersons are Republican partisans openly cheering for Senator Clinton is our first clue of the game afoot. One of the major successes of Rush Limbaugh’s Operation Chaos is that it has got all the right-wing pundits and reporters marching lockstep behind the effort to give Clinton enough oxygen to keep slashing away at Senator Obama, who remains the prohibitive likely Democratic nominee.

And when Clinton wins state primaries that, because of demographics, she was always going to win - last week, Pennsylvania and next week, Indiana - they then wave that event up like a blood-soaked flag as proof of their narrative: See? See? We told you so! White people won’t vote for Obama!

So imagine my pleasant surprise this morning to see a New York Times columnist, Charles Blow, who did what none of these chattering lunkheads have done. He looked at the hard data of how voters, white and black, view the two Democratic candidates - favorably or negatively? - and how those views have progressed over time. The data is based on multiple CBS-New York Times polls (among the most respected survey outfits among competing pollsters) over two years and more. Check it out:



Nobody - not blogger, nor superdelegate, nor cable news anchor - should open their mouths with another word about this contest until they’ve studied those graphs and the numbers upon which they are based. Blow explains:

Since January, the Clintons have pummeled Barack Obama with racially tinged comments and questions about his character…

The question is this: Have white Democrats soured on Obama? Apparently not. Although his unfavorable rating from the group is up five percentage points since last summer in polls conducted by The New York Times and CBS News, his favorable rating is up just as much.

Wait. The numbers show that the cynical effort to turn the 2008 campaign into a race riot has hurt the popularity of one candidate among an important demographic, and it’s not Barack Obama:

On the other hand, black Democrats’ opinion of Hillary Clinton has deteriorated substantially (her favorable rating among them is down 36 percentage points over the same period).

So, to sum up: Look at the damn graphs. You can see that Clinton is in a staggering free-fall among African-American voters, her favorability is down 36 points while 17 percent view her more negatively than before, while Obama’s favorable and negative ratings among whites have paired at five point increases. You can even see the small dip - about two percentage points - in his popularity among whites that can be attributed to the news cycles about his ex-pastor, and see that it has leveled out and is now on a straight horizontal line (meanwhile, Clinton’s numbers among blacks continue on an extreme downward precipice). The greater context is that even including Obama’s slight dip, he’s more popular today among white voters than he ever was prior to February.

Not since Ronald Reagan has an American presidential candidate withstood such an assault in the media and seen his popularity not hurt by it, but, rather, galvanized by it. That’s what is meant, in politics, by the term “Teflon.”

Those facts won’t stop many media (and Internet) talking heads from continuing - whether out of gullibility or intentional dishonesty - to prop up the “white voters” narrative, but it ought to inoculate you, kind reader, from believing it.

Don’t let yourself get upset when some idiot repeats the false media narrative. Don’t plead with them to tell the truth (they won’t; remember, they’re either stupid or dishonest). Mock them. Ridicule them. Expose them as the lightweights they are showing themselves to be, with all the confidence that understanding the hard data ought to provide you.

Let Operation Anti-Chaos begin!

ES likes the bath toys
but I had to throw them
in the dishwasher to get rid of the noxious plastic fumes right after we brought them home. We have so little of that kind of thing I don't know how families can stand the horrible smell. Like a skunk on hormones.

Yesterday marked the first "walking" day. Five steps. With repeats throughout the day. Today she has made a big effort to be upright when possible, using the furniture to navigate around the house.

On the advise of our pediatrician, who was also adopted, we are now giving up the bottle in the night. Last night was the first installment of "rage against the establishment", sponsored by ESD. Tonight I blog because I am a light sleeper and the rebellion from the crib inspired me to look at cute pictures of our sweet and demure child from the quiet of the guest room.

Photo by Erica Pelaccia WHFC

Elianshu has gained 5 pounds since we have arrived home. She is beginning to sleep through the night. She delights in everything except being told "no". She is imitating all sounds, (especially the cat's) and can make raspberries from the front and side of her mouth. She is climbing on stairs, beds and couches. She loves nature and is fascinated by each stick, flower, rock and leaf.

Her grandmother, grandfather (who is 85) and aunti Bec are coming for Mother's day weekend.
Her cousin Sujaya (6 years) is coming the third week in May.
Her aunti Marcy is coming for the first week in June.

All to see her and get their fill before we leave for India.

We submitted our re-adoption paperwork to the superior court clerk in Martinez today. Now we need to wait to schedule a hearing.

I have noticed that when I have to wait in line with my head banger I get a little hot under the collar. Especially when they tell you to wait in one line and when you get to the top (a half hour later) they say that you don't have to wait in that line just in the line to see the clerk. Then you get in the clerk's line and they see your little poop machine bouncing around and making cat noises and then they decide to close two windows. Which leaves one window free because the other window has been taken up for the last 25 minutes by an especially complicated case.

When I lived in Chicago I had a couple of jobs that required me to interact with "needy" customers, most of whom were women over 40. I can't count how many frustrated moments I spent listening to the hysterics of a demanding pet owner or vegetarian diner. What was wrong with these old washed out rags anyway?

Today I joined their minion.

Several days ago Elianshu Sanbate and I were cuddling on the futon bed and all of a sudden... crack went the frame. We had wrestled a little too hard but it seemed unlikely that a 150 lb woman and a 21 lb child would be able to do such damage. When I took a look I saw how the bed was designed (poorly) and could see how easy it would be to crack an inch and a half of wood given the proper pressure.

I was insensed! We paid good money for that bed! It looked so sturdy! It was only a year ago that we bought it and already it cheaps out! Criminal!

AFter calling the store for hours, (they don't use an answering machine) I got through.

"Do you have the receipt?"
"No."
"Well bring in the broken piece and we will see if it can be replaced."
"You mean I have to take it apart?"
"Yeah. Just bring it in on Thursday and I will have a replacement piece by Friday...."

Today baby and I show up at 11am when they are scheduled to open.
They haven't opened.
11:15 still closed.
11:25 still closed. Now I know why they don't pick up their phone. They show up when they feel like it.
I take squirmy worm for a walk around the corner.
11:45 We come back. The owner's wife is present.

"Do you have the receipt?"
"No."
"Well, you will have to pay for the piece."
This is where I start to get raggy and find myself telling her that we had been waiting for her to open the store at 11 am.
"You don't have to get mad at me. If you had a conversation with my husband then you can discuss it with him. Just leave the piece with me and I will bring it home. My husband will see if the supplier will give us a replacement..."

I was raggy. And it was because I felt they should be doing this for free. Not charging us or making us take the bed apart et al.

Back in the day when we listened to loud, disturbing music at work I was always bothered by the customers that complained and made us change it.

Now I am that customer.
Demanding.
Making a scene.

I came home to see if I could find the receipt.
No luck.

The house is clean! And I mean spotless. It has been some time since we paid someone to help us clean the house, (since I stopped working full time over a year ago).
Beauty girl is starting to sleep more calmly and without the urgent cries in the night. Our test came back negative, (altho' our pediatrician thinks we need to redo it in 6 months, sigh). Mr.D is in India and has found a place for us to live, and he is even excited about it.

Tomorrow we submit our re-adopt forms to the superior court and wait to be clear for scheduling a hearing date.

We still have the ringworm.

While exploring food preferences we invented a lovely recipe:

frozen peas
tofu (seasoned with sesame oil and tamari)
finely sliced rigatoni (with salt,melted butter, brewers yeast, yogert whey and acerola). It makes a pretty stack too. And see how she likes it.

Laughing


(Written for my friend Sharon)

Life has an interesting way of laughing.

Sometimes it is hard to laugh along,

and then

when you get it

you see how silly it is.



I thought when I had a baby the longing would end

but the longing is replaced by terror

for what "could" happen and

what DOES happen.

Do you want the good news first or the bad news?

I should have known it was coming when the Infectious diseases doctor praised Sanbate's xray results after requesting more lab work. I should have known that there is no end to a research hospital's need for answers and more proof that every child that leaves their borders is tracked like a wanted criminal.

There was a mistake on the blood test in that instead of doing a stage 1 hiv test they did a stage 2 test which came up inconclusive. That is there were some levels that were not "normal".

Now the doctor is recommending we do the hiv test again, even tho' the lab that originally did her blood work up in Ethiopia is a certified US laboratory.

"I am sure it is negative, but with this result it would be negligent to skip retesting."

So now I am as anxious as ever. We have an appointment with her pediatrician tomorrow because I couldn't bear to bring Sanbate back into the hospital to be jabbed again, ( they had a really really hard time getting blood from her when we were in prison there). We will get a referral for a lab and then do another test.

I am a wreck
but Elianshu has been surprisingly jolly especially since we escaped the hospital, yet again.

I am a bit of a clean freak and it is
distressing to see the little
explosions around the house and the sink full of dishes.
My mother raised 7 of us, cooked homemade meals every night, and maintained a spotless house.

I think one of the activities that is slowing me down is the daily making of the home made formula. I have decided that the powdered sh** that Sanbate has been drinking is just not working for her. We have been taking trips to the local natural food store to buy raw milk and cream. Other ingredients: olive oil, acerola, coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, brewers yeast, probiotics, whey, geletin, and filtered water.

This formula is designed to fatten baby and give her much needed animal fats. And every morning I am giving her a cooked egg yolk.

Caring for a newly adopted child while sleep deprived is about as much fun as a truck load of camels. We saw these on the road back from Awassa, Ethiopia.

Lots of crying. Her not the camels, but it makes a mom feel ineffective. And frankly, a poor educator, (after 20 years experience!)

While checking email from my friend and adoption mentor, bj, my girl started to cry again, after having been asleep for 20 minutes. Sanbate had been up all day.Bj's email strongly suggested I buy and read The Primal Wound by Nancy Verrier. Well, that was an easy sell. As the screaming escalated I quickly purchased a copy from Nancy's website. I will let you know how it is when I read it.

This morning we went down to the Albany county clerks office and filed for Sanbate's US passport. In three weeks we should receive it in the mail which means we can go to India as soon as the re-adoption is finalized.

Our girl is gaining weight. Finally. She is about 20 pounds now, compared to 16 when we arrived home with pneumonia. This girl had only gained 1 pound in the orphanage over a period of 3 months! I still can't quite figure this out as she was eating like a sow and as far as we know did not have parasites. She does have ringworm, altho' I have no idea where she has it- just that she gave it to me. Ringworm, incidentally is NOT a worm but a fungus.

Stubborn? yes.
A quick study? certainly.
Lovely? Quite.
Mental? Um. I am afraid so, (Head-bangingly so).
Generous? To a fault. (Just today she offered me her pancake, AND LET ME EAT IT).
Expressive? Right down to her bowels.

Babies are workaholics!
No matter how tired, wet, hungry, sick or cold they are they continue to explore, experiment and experience life. It is amazing!

Sanbate has been sleeping better but still pretty weary throughout the day. The naps (now 45 minutes) just don't seem to be enough.




Well, at least her meditative practice is still in order.
Here she is at the bookshelf and the first book she decides to take out, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind. Shambhala baby!

Sleep.

Sanbate's schedule:
Sleeps 7pm -1am
Awake 1am-3am
Sleep 3am-5am
Awake 5am-9am
Sleep 9am-10am
Awake 10am-2pm
Sleep 2pm-3pm
Awake 3pm-7pm

Sleeps 10 hours
is awake 14 hours
every 24 hours

And it shows.She is tender and fussy.

I wonder if I should just let go of trying to have a rested baby.
It seems so important to me to help our one year old (eventually)learn to fall asleep without the parental circus we perform.
The bottles, the singing, the humming, the dancing, the walking, the soothing,the crib/our bed, the swaddling... This all would be wonderful if it actually worked.
I want to trust that my daughter will learn to fall asleep.
And comfort herself.
I want her to wake up joyful.

I have been told that young children should not be exposed to mirrors because they don't "get" what it is. Well we have big mirrors in our apartment and she lights up when she sees who is there. What can I do? Sanbate loves Sanbate.

When you use cloth diapers your child poops and pees more.
Or so it seems.
I am changing her diaper every hour but what joy it is to see a
(here I go sounding like an insane mother)
normal poop!
How beautiful!

And last night Sanbate slept from 6pm to 7am!
What a fabulous mood she was in this morning.
And she talked herself to sleep for her nap.

Today Jennifer from Adoption Connections came by for the post placement visit. It went really well I believe because I fed the baby banana pancakes just before arrival.

There was crawling, walking(with the walker), cooing, talking, laughing, playing and exploring.

She made us look so good.

There is the bubble test to see if a baby is really ill, (which works).
And then there is the lollipop test. Last night I tried the latter with success.

It has been a couple of days home from the hospital and Sunboo is still a little cranky. Altho' one must realize, (that is, I must realize) she is still reeling from being taken from her home. Still in shock from losing her Ethiopian "family" at the orphanage and subconsciously her birth family. Sometimes she is inconsolable and I have to set her down for a minute.

Today for her nap she could not be comforted. She was so tired and sad. I had to put her in her crib. When I came back in to check on her she would not let me hold her so I put her down again and this infuriated her. 2 minutes later she was asleep.

With no help from me. I feel terrible.

Hospital Days












We snuck out of the hospital undetected, (or so it seemed as we escaped from the isolation chamber), and saw the light of day. We also saw the sun.
And it was good.

Tests yesterday confirmed Sanbate's improvement (from white blood cell count of 30,000 to 7,000).
Her disposition is also greatly uplifted. Sleep is an amazing thing, and WHY don't they let the babies sleep in hospitals?

We were able to spend some time outside by the sea and in our back yard as the weather was gorgeous.

By 6 pm however, girl had a mild temperature. Hello tylenol and lots of liquids. By 7pm temperature was normal.

Easter

As he rose, she also rose.
Is a rose.
Ah Sunboo. You were very joyous today having had a real night's rest. All the machinery seems to be running smoothly again and if your blood test tomorrow is like your disposition today we are shining.
Dr. Brian Lee, who is an esteemed member of the Infectious diseases department of the hospital, met with us today to let us know that if the bloodwork tomorrow is improved from Thursday we can bring the girl home.
Push back that boulder and let us out!

Our sweet goose has been very sick. She had another febrile convulsion on the way to her doctor's appointment on Thursday and we have been at the hospital since. She has pneumonia, and something intestinal as well as other worse possibilities we are trying and hoping to rule out.
Tomorrow they pump her stomach to do a culture on what is in there. She will have to keep tubes in her little nose for a few days.
She has had almost every kind of test known to human kind.
And will be in the hospital until Monday at least.
I am home for a few hours to get some rest.
We are at the best children's hospital in our area and I am very confident of the doctors, altho' they do railroad a bit. We are in isolation which stinks because we can't walk around with her but it is a private room with a bathroom and view of the bay and the train so she and I have been sitting in the window and gazing at the street below. Very entertaining- no tv needed!

Happy Birthday!

On her Number 1 Day S woke up late, (430 am). She is tired and unwell. As she slept on and off throughout the day Mr. D and I became increasingly concerned, called the nurse practitioner and insisted on antibiotics. She had a fever the second half of the day and her belly was full of battle cries. I will not mention her diapers herein.
We did not give her the antibiotics however, as the international adoption clinic dr. advised us against taking any medication until the lab results are back.

Tomoca coffee is d* straight, 3 palms a pound, and I get excited when waking up at 3 in the morning with Sanbate to drink it.

The girl survived extensive bloodletting today. In fact, she walked away with her sense of humor fully intact.

Tomorrow is her birthday so we have every intention of spoiling her in every way. Lord girl! You made it through one year! Despite!

I am so grateful to sister Askale, the resident nurse pictured here with our coy smiler, for accompanying me to the hospital on our first day. I don't care what the statistics say, my experience with Ethiopians both men and women has lead me to feel devoted to them and to feel they are gentle and extremely loving people.

Yesterday Sanbate and I went to the International adoption clinic for an intense consultation which left us feeling a little bereft. The words, "failure to thrive" were used in reference to the almost nonexistent growth she has shown over the last 3 months. It is very possible that our girl has ghiardia or some kind of parasite/bacteria that is inhibiting her body from intaking nutrients. The girl eats and sleeps like a queen but still does not grow. Her digestion is also very challenged and one can hear the battle going on inside her belly after a meal. Mr. D and I are a little anxious about it especially after the febrile convulsion last week. So, we bought a temporal temperature gauge so as to keep track of any fever immediately and I am petitioning our primary care doctor for an appointment today so that we can get a referral for a blood panel and stool check.

None of this has stopped her from being an affectionate, curious, playful, and stunningly gorgeous lovebaby.

Another ED in the family.

We are home.
It seemed endless but
eternity has come to rest.

Many adventures inside one.
First day in Ethiopia trip to the hospital. Upon arrival our child vomits entire content of bottle on my torso and later because of temperature of 104 has febrile convulsions. If you have ever had a child of your own do this you know how terrifying it is.

Second day in Ethiopia trip to Leku to see the birth family (mother and grandmother). It seemed as though the entire village waited outside while we sat and talked.

Third day in Ethiopia trip to US embassy in Addis Ababa to obtain finalization of adoption and legal resident alien visa.

Fourth day in Ethiopia our child with us all day and all night.

Fifth day in Ethiopia I fall sick, north pole and south pole.

Sixth day in Ethiopia shopping excursion to Addis to buy things for the girl, (dresses, maps, books, paintings, a triptych, kavere, t-shirts, coffee, a sidama style cross necklace. The bus leaves without us downtown and we have momentary panic not unlike "Open Water". It seems they did a miscount and when they arrived at next destination realized we weren't aboard and turned around to get us.

Seventh day in Ethiopia coffee ceremony and goodbyes.

No sleep on the plane. A very fussy baby. Luggage sent on different flight which was delayed.

And finally back home.

Today is the day we leave so I may not be able to post anything else soon.
The bags are packed. The packing list has been checked. The cab for tonite has been called. It is difficult to believe that this is happening. I feel like I am being carried by this tremendous force and that I am ready to just relax and let it take me to Ethiopia.

I thought I would finish Sanbate's hat on the plane but here it is at home waiting for her to make it work.

Our agency called to let us know we will be staying in Awassa the night before our embassy appointment on Monday. As it stands we will leave early on Sunday to travel to the birth family's location (?) and then back to Awassa for the night. Awassa is not far from Addis so it shouldn't be difficult to get back in time for appointment at the embassy in the afternoon.

On a different note and in regard to what is happening TODAY:
I want to stay positive about the primaries. I want to be inspired that so much has happened with the nation actually getting out and voting for the first time! In Texas and places you would think that the current administration had paralyzed. I want to stay optimistic about this "Change" Americans are hungry for. But I have to tell you I am nervous about it. I am anxious about it. Because I do have hope that the grown up running is not going to give in to "the silly season" in politics. Is not going to stoop to fear mongering and racial baiting. That Barack Obama will continue to run in his "presidential" way.
With leadership.
Credibility.
Intelligence.
Dignity.
Strength.
Compassion.
Vision.
And a whole lot of blessings from his supporters.

Lovely me I have the flu.
Which is actually fine as I would rather be getting better at home than trying to "Buck up" on the flight to Ethiopia.
Our neighbor came over today to be prepped on kitty and birdy care.
I finished shopping for the trip.
220 volt adapter? Check.
Baby shoes and socks? Check.
Electric socket protectors? Check.
Baby dishes that don't have obnoxious cartoons on them? Check.
Freezer food for our return home? Check.
Flip flops for the orphanage guest room (no shoes allowed)? Check.

Bubbles?

You better believe it.

Today is a wonderful day!








Mr. D came home from India and brought sweets and ganthia.
My mom called to tell me she and my youngest sister are coming to see us on Mother's day weekend! I am so pleased.
The sun is back in California. I have been gardening.
And I finished the most lovely project of all- this felted ball for Sanbate. And it only took me 10 hours.
The agency also sent 4 more pictures of Sanbate, who is a serious little child. Now that I see her I am wondering if the clothes will fit her. She is only 17 lbs. but she looks bigger in the photos.



A fun movie I found on Jack and Jill.

Tag, You are it!
Brought to us by Are We There Yet?




Groups of 4

Jobs I have had:
1. Waldorf Teacher
2. Nanny for 6 children
3. Veternary receptionist
4. Foreign Rights and Permissions Coordinator for Shambhala Publications

Movies I watch over and over:
1. Secrets and Lies
2. Its a Wonderful Life (yes I am a card carrying SAP)
3. Groundhog Day
4. The Royal Tenenbaums

Places I’ve lived:
1. East Coast (MA, NH, ME)
2. California (Berkeley)
3. Chicago(Rogers Park, Lakeview, Wicker Park and Logan Square)
4. Annandale-on-the-Hudson, NY

TV Shows I watch:
1. We
2. Don't
3. Have
4. Cable

Places I’ve Been:
1. India
2. Mexico
3. Dominican Republic
4. Ethiopia (In 9 days)

People who email me regularly:
1. My sisters
2. My husband
3. Ethiopia adoptees
4. Waldorf School colleagues


4 Favorite things to eat:
1. Salt
2. corn
3. Greens
4. Chocolate

4 Places I’d rather be:
1. Here Now
2. With my family and friends
3. With Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
4. In bed reading a good novel

Things I look forward to this year:
1. Meeting Sanbate and bringing her home
2. Moving to India and being a family that lives together
3. Being a mom And an artist
4. Getting rid of more stuff when we move

Now it is your turn, that is if you haven't been tagged yet.

NOTHING IS INSIGNIFICANT

I took notes during our 2 hour "travel meeting" with our agency today.

We will meet our child on International Women's Day.
I learned the names of the caregivers who have been looking after the children; Eskidar, Askala and Theras. The names of the drivers that will be ferrying us about; Mulat and Yonas.
1$ is equal to 9.5 birr.
The agency told us to bring between 1 and 2 thousand dollars to pay for the guest house, gifts, trip to Sidama to see birth family, and shopping.
Altitude sickness may be an issue as Addis is considered high altitude.
Emailing may have to be done late at night or early morning.
I have to think of questions for Sanbate's birth family and questions for her caregivers.
Remember to bring insect repellent, 220 volt adapter, standard polaroid film, flip flops and walking shoes.

I spoke to my friend and fellow adopting mom whose daughter is all grown now. She told me to take a lot of pictures even of things we may not see as important, like the inside of a grocery store. She couldn't emphasize more this thought to keep in mind as we travel Ethiopia,
"Nothing is insignificant".


Situations

Maybe you will enjoy the music and maybe you will see why this man, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of Art of Living is so beloved.