Hello once again,

Here I sit, after completing the preparations for my workshop, smiling to myself. I have considered myself to be a pretty laid back individual, who is practiced at the art of going with the flow, but the last week has shown me otherwise. Over the course of the week, I have become increasingly aware of my western sensibilities, and desire for material ques of progress. As I continued to work out schedules, ask questions, create documents, I was softly reminded that everything will work itself out. "You're here, with us, it is going to be great. We will help you." I have to laugh,knowing that I have not met with my team and yet when 9:30 tomorrow morning comes, we will work together, and have a successful day.In this, I am reminded of a quote I read (and instantly agreed with) a couple of weeks ago. "I found [my way] by making careful plans that quickly disintegrated, as they always did in India, into fate and serendipity" (E. Bumiller).

In addition to gathering my thoughts for the workshop, I have been able to spend some more time learning a bit more about the numerous projects that VMM is involved in. A friend of mine, (Shalini) whose birthday wish was to introduce me to some orphan children who were excited to meet a white american, accompanied me to VMM Children's Village. We set out on our birthday adventure! One auto rickshaw, two people, two buses, and a short walk later, we had arrived. The children were still at school for the day, so I had the opportunity to check out the facilities and view the vast vegetable gardens on the grounds. In addition to housing, feeding, and loving 30 children(HIV/AIDS orphans), the facility is equipped with the capacity to train the children with sewing and embroidery skills. They make the most beautiful Sari's and sell them locally, to supplement the cost of the maintaining the village. Once the children arrived they sang and danced for me, and smiles never left their faces (nor mine).

I have recently been made the honorary editor here at the office. I am putting my native language skills to good use, making sure that documents are in proper order before they leave the office. It started when we were preparing for the National Aids Control Organization's (NACOs) Director General to pay us a visit, which turned out to be quite the media event. My face made it into the background of a photograph that was published the next day in a national paper (The Hindu).

When I first arrived here, there was a bit of cultural confusion, as only men wear jeans. I have since put away my jeans and have become accustomed to wearing the local punjabi dress (Long tunic, usually silk, with matching pants and Chuni or scarf like article) daily. Many of you would be shocked to know that at this moment, I am dressed shoulders to ankles in baby pink! I enjoy the comfort of the cloths on these increasingly warm days, but am far from mastering the graceful art of chuni wearing :)

I took my style a step further while attending a birthday party. (Dr. Deeksha threw a fabulous suare in honor of her son becoming a major (turning 18)). I arrived at the event, in a beautiful black Sari (I did not find out until later that wearing a black sari denotes ones feeling that they are the star of the party!) complete with heels and gold jewelry compliments of my friend (Srilu) who spent 20 mins getting the Sari tied on me properly. What an art that is! And these women can do it themselves! I am still in awe of this fact every morning watching the working woman going about their business in their Saris, knowing that they tied them on that morning without help! My favorite comment, of the many flattering remarks I received was, "Haley Akka, you look like a superhero!" Akka means elder sister in Telugu.

As much fun as it has been playing dress up, I am told that it may be the source of a recent fever I endured. Local lore dictates that a jealous woman was likely to have seen how beautiful I look in Indian dress and became envious. In a fit of jealousy, she cast evil spirits upon me that manifested themselves in the form of a feverish headache. It is a wonderful thought, to think that that I was only sick because I am so beautiful...good step towards the road to recovery :)

Well, it is just about tea time, so I will leave you all to contemplate my beauty until next time :) haha. Seriously though, I have fallen in love with my afternoon chai in an ornately decorated petite mug. Oh and speaking of drinks I have fallen in love with! There is a man down the rd (Bapu) who will make me a fresh cup of juice (I get to choose from a plethora of delicious exotic fruits) without sugar and ice (he finds that funny) for 15 rupees, which is like 35 cents. Actually, I can (and do) buy whole papayas for 10rs from my fruit guy across the street. This place is magic!

LOVE TO ALL
Haley

PS I nearly forgot to explain the email subject. The customary greeting here (like our How are you?) is Have you had your lunch? Or breakfast, tea, depending on the time of day. The anthropologist in me wonders if this is because food scarcity is so common in India that asking if one has had their meal, is essentially a question about their well being...???

PPS (double post scrips are becoming a theme) Once again, if I have omitted anyone, please feel free to forward this and make me aware of my omission. <3