Day in Delhi

On my first day in Delhi I planned on relaxing-

I got bored by noon

So I headed out to the National Museum

This is a pretty common occurrence here

Indians pay 20 rupees to get in

or about $0.50

And everyone else has to pay 300 rupees

or about $ 6.00

Luckily, it was only 1 rupee to get in with an international student card 

The museum was pretty interesting-

I think my favorite exhibit was on India's marine history

Next stop was India's gate 

and then parliament.

The entire complex was huge!

Along the way... 

The Sick temple- where the sick people go to pray

and the Red Fort

It was a fun day seeing Delhi

Next I'm off to Agra and the TAJ MAHAL!

With love,

A

Last Day

So I'm a little behind because I left my group and didn't have internet for a few days.

Here is how I spent my last day with my HELP International group:

We hopped on a bus out to the slums

It was one of the most interesting rides I've ever taken.

This woman happened to be doing cocaine along the way...

We got off at a slum school and the kids were THRILLED to see us.

This little guy's eyes were amazing

We were told this little girl never came to school, but showed up today because the white people were there.

Here is the classroom before we started painting

During

and after.

We painted an English alphabet and numbers

We also painted the Telagu alphabet...

...some nice fruit

and don't forget my peacock

Yes ladies and gentleman I graced the school with my creative talents and painted this lovely peacock on the wall

You can't really see it - but there is a lot of paint all over us.

Those kids really loved our murals and I know I really loved helping paint them.

After we cleaned up a bit we headed to a team dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe to celebrate winning the Help International blogging contest.

These are some of my favorite people in the world.

There is something about roughing it for 2 1/2 months in VERY close proximity that made us close. 

And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Here I am saying goodbye to our country directors Seth and Melissa. 

Each and every person in my group brought something unique and important to the team

and although sometimes we annoyed each other...

we all had a common purpose 

In the end- we wanted to help the people of India - we all just had different ways of going about it

and because of that- we were successful.

I'm proud to be a part of this group.

They taught me more than I can ever thank them for.

And I think in our own small way we were able to help the people here.

With love,

A

P.S. My heart goes out to the families of those people killed and injured in the bombings in Mumbai two days ago. 

Count Down

In exactly NINE days I will be home. 

In exactly ONE day I will leave my group, fly to Delhi and begin my adventure ALONE IN INDIA.

Crazy huh?

I haven't posted in a while because I've been sick.

Again.

Some things I'm looking forward to when I get home:

(I'm writing this now because in a few days I'll just be sad that I'm leaving)

~Eating~

Chipotle

Carrabbas

Outback

Texas Roadhouse

And COOKING- with an oven and all the ingredients I could ever want

One of my goals when I get back is cooking.

A LOT

I have a whole list of recipes to try.

~Watching~

HARRY POTTER 

(I can technically see it 24 hours before everyone else in the United States....but I'm saving it to see with my little brother)

The Help

(This is one of my favorite books I've read all summer)

And more...but I can't think of them all right now.

~Doing~

Going to dinner with my family

Giving my family and friends souvenirs

Sleeping in my own bed 

Showering- with warm, clean water- in my OWN bathroom

Driving

Wearing clothes, not rags

Going to HAWAII with my whole family

Now it may sound like I can't wait to get home.

I'm sad to leave, but in a way- I think I'm ready to go home.

There are so many things I've been missing since I've been here.

But they are just things.

And sometimes missing everything and everyone at home makes you more grateful for what you already have at home.

I know I am.

With love,

A

P.S. This post was inspired by one of my good friend Jane- who is also working for HELP International in Belize. 

I've Got This?

Hi.

Sorry its been awhile... I just barely got home.

FINALLY!!!!

So I have been busy catching up with people...

And sleeping ALOT.

Anyway... since I am home now I have time to work out again.

And I am super mean and ridiculous but I am making my pregnant cousin work me out.

BUT I have a reason.

After she had her first baby she got her body into shape SO fast.

Us at Christmas: Chris, Em, me and Jess (THE cousin)

So due to the un-human amounts of chocolate I consumed I need her.

And, man did I look sad when we started workin' it.

She is on the elliptical going like 500 mph 8 months along...

And I am on the treadmill huffing and puffing like a freakin dragon...

She's next to me yelling "Come on you got this!"

After doing a million sets of running, steps, and pushups... (ok it wasn't a million)

I did abs...

She is by me trying to encourage me...

And I keep saying, "I'll be right back I need water..."

(I did that like 7 times.)

Everyone was looking at me like...

"Seriously girl? Your cousin (I'm sure they knew she was my cousin)

is pregnant and she is kicking your butt..."

But thats Jess... always lookin' good and in shape...

I wonder how long it will take me to get like that...

With Love,

E

Rebels and Love

Today we are stuck inside all day.

No, it's not because of monsoon season...

It's actually because of rebel protests.

You see I've been living in the state of Andhra Pradesh 

and there is a certain region within this state called Telangana.

Many people within Hyderabad want Telangana to be a separate state.

I have to say...in some ways they have a point.

The US has 50 states- India only has 28 and 

The US has about 300 million people- India has over a billion people

A lot of the reason they are rebelling is for representation purposes.

They just want their voices heard.

On the other hand....the whole city shuts down when these people get going.

We are confined to the house, city transportation is shut down and most stores are shut down.

Good thing we have food storage!

Since I'm confined to my the house I thought I'd share some pictures from the Shri Guru Sankalpam school for disabled kids. 

I told you about our project for this school here.

In the morning they arrived on their bus...teachers go to the homes of kids who are too disabled to get here.

They have lots of activities to do 

As I told you before my job is to take pictures of the kids and help interview all of them so we can put a profile of them on their website.

Were hoping people will sponsor these kids through the website once we have the profiles up.

This little guy REALLY loved to work the camera...that's why I have so many pictures of him.

At the beginning of the day the kids do exercises, laughing yoga, and meditation.

Durning meditation he was concentrating so hard- and it was one of the cutest things ever.

This is Thenima. She ALWAYS had a smile on her face. 

She loves to sing and even performed a song during exercise time.

Here he is again...just loving life and being happy

Yamuna loves to cook and helps her mom make chapati and other treats.

Sudhir here is quite the teacher. He looks like it huh?

He wants to be a teacher someday and help teach kids with disabilities. 

This is Branay and he has one of the most darling smiles I've ever seen.

Bajarang winked for the camera.

I could barely get Sriram to sit still to take a picture of him!

Here is Thenima again....I told you she was always smiling!

Satishkumar  loves playing cricket and wants to become a police officer someday. 

Vimal is always helping the physical therapist at the school work with the other kids.

This is the kids doing activities at the school

Working at this school is definitely one of the best experiences of the summer

These kids really are special spirits of a loving Heavenly Father.

With love,

A