REINSTATED

When we moved to India our "Marble Jar" got shipped off to storage. I didn't worry too much about it because we had gotten really bad at actually awarding marbles. Today we reinstated the "Marble Pot" as it is now known.

I had forgotten how well this thing works!!!

Dinner with no tears, PJ's on the 1st time asked, homework done...I LOVE MY NEW POT!!!

Day 3 at the Police Station

SUCCESS!!!. We were able to finally meet with the Police inspector to have him sign our Residence Permits! Yes, it did take a few hours of sitting at the Police Station once again, but I wasn't too nervous to take pictures this time...

and this is probably why. Even the man who beat the guy who looked at me went gaga over Annie.

The Wanted Posters

We have laughed over these posters. I wonder if they don't have a magazine that they have people looking though saying "Yeah, his mouth was like this one, his nose was more like this guys and his eyes were a little different...oh yeah kind of like this one."

"The Rouge Gallary" These are all the mug shots of people who have been arrested. I'm not sure what the catagories are for though.

The other thing we entertained ourselves with was the Praying Mantis that was in the station. Annie was running around and saw it and stopped dead in her tracks. A man came over and let it climb on him and then knocked it onto the ground.

The next thing I knew it was flying straight at my face. I ducked and it landed on the guy behind me. Instead of panicing, like I did, he started playing with it.

What does the Dog say?

Most kids learn their animal sounds when they are learning to talk. What does the dog say? the kitty? the cow? and so on, but how many kids know what the mosquito says?

only in India! (or maybe Woodruff too)

Esther's Birthday

Baby's daughter's birthday was on April 6th. She turned 13 years old and we were invited to come and celebrate at her house. It was fun to go and see Baby's home and see her family. She lives in a small 1 room adobe home with a tin roof with her 2 kids and husband. Her niece lives next door to her and her sister next to that. It in it's own weird way it reminded me of good old 2770 East. The kids were running around, in and out of all the little houses on the street and playing with each other. All of the kids were very nice and they even let Ethan play with the "fire stick" AUGHHH!!! Yes, they started a field on fire and Ethan wanted to play with the stick. One boy handed it to him just as I was trying to tell Ethan not to play with fire. Of course Ethan acted like he didn't hear me and was swinging the stick all over!!! Vijay came with us and was carrying our camera around. (No I didn't just stand and take pictures of my kid playing in the fire. I was running to get him out, and Vijay was snapping pictures.)

L to R Ethan (5), Esther (13), Baby's little niece (3), Solomon Baby's Son (10), Baby's Niece's Son (6) , Samson Baby's nephew (12), Ellie (9), Maddie (7) I had to post this picture not only to show the kids, but to show that we stand out not only because we're white, but because we are so tall.

Esther loved that Annie would go to her. She was showing Annie all the puppies and kitties that they have. The kids loved going there and have asked many times when we get to go back. On the way home Maddie did say, "I have only 1 question, where do they go to the bathroom?" That is a very good question. I have been inside both Baby and Vijay's homes and they do not have bathrooms. Vijay said laughing "Ask Baby when she comes tomorrow." Of course my kids did ask and Baby informed them that she doesn't have a bathroom, but that her sister does so they go and use that one.

The people here have nothing and are so generous. Baby made us dinner at her house and bought a cake for her daughter's birthday that she would not have done if we weren't coming over. She also made Gulob Jamin (donut holes soaked in syrup) and bought Fanta because she knows that my kids love Fanta.

Baby also told me this morning that Esther was so excited after we left that she couldn't sleep. She just kept talking about Annie and how she was so excited about the animals.

Day 2 at the Police Station

It has been 2 weeks now and they say the Police inspector is now at work and we can get our paperwork signed. YEAH!!

Again we drove to the police station with Kiran. This time we sat and waited for about 1/2 hour and then the Inspectors assistant came out. He needed to go to our house to verify that we lived there. We drove to the house he came in and looked around. He saw Annie and pinched her checks, got back in the car and told us that now all that needed to be done was to have the Inspector's signature. He was at the station today and could sign it as soon as we got there. We walked into the station and again we can't understand anything being said, but were told to sit and wait. The Inspector had apparently gone to get some lunch and would be back in 1/2 an hour. As we sat and waited we again witnesses a few cases coming in, and watched how things were done. I do have to note here that I now have witnessed how drivers know everything. The minute people would start walking in the door, ViJay, who was waiting in the car would casually walk in like he was going to ask us a question, then a minute later he would have his head stuck right in the middle of the conversation, listening and making judgement as to who was guilty, or what should be done.

The first case to come in was a man, a lady, 3 kids and about 5 other men. When they came in they started speaking with the officers. The officers start to hit the man, slapping his shoulder at first and then punching his arm when they didn't get the reaction they wanted, and then a big stick came out. Again I had no clue what was being said, but later Vijay interpreted what had happened. Apparently the husband beats his wife and doesn't trust her. She had to get a job because he drinks and doesn't pay the bills. He thinks she is selling her body and beats her more. Finally she can't handle it any longer and pours kerosene on herself. The 4 men caught her trying to light the match to take her life. A lady came out and I can only assume it is a "social worker" type lady to help with the kids.

The next case to come in is a man who wants a divorce from his wife. Yes they are arranged marriages and apparently he didn't want her anymore. He had taken her dowry and now wants a divorce, but she doesn't want to get divorced until he pays her for the jewelry and things he has taken from her. Instead of beating this man because he wants a divorce, they make him clean up the Police Station after they had hung a picture. And then he still doesn't get to get a divorce.

Hanging the picture was an interesting thing to watch also. Alan and I entertained ourselves by making up the conversations that they were having. A man brought over a chair. The plastic lawn chair type. The other man looks at it and says something. "I'm to short to reach with only that chair" (our interpretation) The first man brings 3 more chairs to stack on top of it. "Are you kidding? I'm still not tall enough to reach." This is when I said to Alan, he should stand on a table instead of the chairs. The next thing I know....

By this time I pulled out the camera. Before this, I was afraid they would beat me for taking pictures so I didn't dare, but I couldn't resist.

The next case came in, a man who has lost his wife and 2 kids.

After 2 hours we finally decided to walk outside to get some air. This is where they tow all the motorbikes that have been illegally parked.

We also saw a really creepy spider. I hope I don't see it alive again!

By this time Kiran tells us that we can go get some lunch and that he will wait for the inspector. He will call us if he comes and we can hurry back. We went to lunch at Chili's and got a phone call from Kiran to say that the Inspector wasn't coming back today. What a waste of another day!! Hopefully he'll sign our papers and we can get our visas renewed before they kick us out of here and Tracy and Katie come.

Side note: as we were leaving for lunch they had found the mans wife and 2 kids. It was a happy ending. I also saw the girl that didn't want the divorce. She had been married for 3 years already and was only 18. Soon to be posted...Day 3 at the Police Station. I think I'm going to take more pictures next time. "The Rouge List" and "The Wanted Poster" are 2 that I didn't dare to take last time, but I think I'll get brave.

Day 1 at the Police Station

So, because we have been here almost 1 year, our visas are soon going to expire. Now we are going through the process of getting them renewed. One of the steps in this process is to have the Police Inspector verify that you actually are living here, and sign a paper. We met Kiran, one of the EY people in charge of helping get our visas renewed, at the Police station. He walked us in, and of course no communication in English. Kiran turned to us and told us to have a seat because the Inspector was coming in late that morning due to the elections from the previous day. They told us 10 minutes, which I should have known means "hours". We waited and waited, and witnessed cases coming in. Of course I don't speak Kannada, or Hindi, Telugu or Tamil so I have no clue what people were saying, I just saw what they did.

One man was brought in off the street and the police were hitting him and dragging him into the office. The man turned to look at me and WHAM!! He got punched right in the face, then the stomach, and smacked on back. I have no idea what the man had done to be brought in, but it made me think of the scenes in "Slumdog Millionaire" when they are torturing the man. The movie is becoming more and more real the longer we are here. They took the man to another room where I'm not sure what they were doing to him, but the officer came out putting his belt back on. I guess a good belt lashing was in order.

After sitting there waiting for over 2 hours, they came out and said that he wouldn't be there until that afternoon. They sent us home and told us to come back after 2:00. Alan came home with me and worked from home and Kiran who went back to the office called around 4 and said that the Inspector wasn't coming at all that day. What a waste of a day.

More Random India Pictures

Right now is Watermelon season. YUM!
Sisters
Orange fruit carts
Man riding in the cardboard box recycle truck
So many people ride around with their whole families on bikes. I know I've said this before, but I'm AMAZED that more people don't die from motorbike accidents here.
The campaign trail. In a weird way this also reminds me of "Back to the Future" when they are driving around saying "Vote for Mayor Goldie Wilson"

Many people tell us how corrupt all the politicians are here in India. We have no doubt that is true. For example, our driver has told us over and over that the politicians will pay you for your vote. The typical payment is 200 rupees (about $4), and 50 rupee bottle of wine, and 1 Chicken Biryani packet. Chicken Biryani is a common dish around here, but I have no idea why it makes a good bribe for a vote.

Laundry

How would you like to wash all this by hand?

We passed by this field full of laundry hanging dry. I asked what it was and got told that it is where the hotel does it's laundry. All the sheets and uniforms for the workers.

BYU vs. UTAH

So, today I overheard my kids talking to the neighbor kids about sports. They were talking about "Football" These kids are Indians who are from the UK. As our kids are talking, they ask what team they cheer for. The kids answer "London". My kids have no idea that the other kids are talking about "soccer" and the other kids have no clue that our kids are talking about "American Football" Ethan then answers. "Our family only cheers for BYU!!!" "Do you cheer for Utah?" The other kids have looks on their faces like he is talking jiberish!

EASTER 2010

We had to get creative with our Easter decorations this year because all of our Holiday Decor was taken to storage. Thanks to Grandma Erickson we had a few Easter craft/decorations.


I looked all over for plastic eggs so the Easter Bunny could fill them with candy, but there were none to be found in India. I got online and started to look for some simple ideas for the kids, and came across Paper Mache Eggs. Because I didn't have colored paper, we used crepe paper. The kids started out helping me make them, but then it go to be a little messy and tedious. Baby was really interested and happily helped me make 4 eggs. Ellie liked hanging them in the tree outside to dry.

That night I went outside to get the eggs out of our tree so the kids could each put one in their baskets, and they were gone. Yep, the strings were hanging there, but someone had cut off our eggs and took them. :(

Ellie was pretty upset because "now what is the easter bunny going to put the candy in?" This past New Year Ellie made Alan a deal that she wouldn't eat any candy or drink any soda for a year and she has done so well. She has a few days that she gets off and Easter is one of them. She has been looking forward to eating candy for a long time. She actually saved her valentine candies so that she could eat them on Easter.

We had to go out to find Easter baskets too. No fake grass here! The only thing I could find to fill the baskets with was crepe paper. I think I kinda liked it too. Not as messy as the grass. :)

So Annie woke up at 5:30 Sunday morning. As soon as I walked out of her bedroom she spotted her basket. And as soon as she saw the basket she found the chocolate!

At home Easter was the same day as General Conference, but because here we watch conference a week later, we had to leave for church by 9:00. As the kids searched for their baskets I made them one by one get in the shower and get ready. Once they were ready for church I told them they could search for the eggs that the Easter Bunny brought. He is magical!! Plastic eggs filled with candy were scattered around our living room!!

Soon, Maddie, Ethan, and Annie had all found their baskets, and Ellie couldn't find hers. There were a few tears when it was time to head to church and she still hadn't found it. In my heart I felt bad because I knew how she was feeling. I was always the last to find my basket, and I distintly remember one year, yes I was in YW, when I cried all the way to church because I was the only one who had not found my basket.

On the way home we all got strict instructions to FIND HER BASKET with her.

That night Vijay brought his family over for an egg hunt. They don't celebrate Easter because they are Hindu, but we thought it would be fun to have his kids come and look for eggs. Ellie, Maddie and Ethan were so excited. They hid the eggs and had it all planned out who would help show them how to find them, etc. It was fun to see our kids giving their candy to them.

He is the only one who speaks English in his family, and his wife is really quiet, and shy. After they found the eggs, Shravia (his 3 year old) found the "toy room". She was really excited with everything she saw.

Indus Days

Our kid's school had their annual "Indus International Day" on March 24th. All of the kids grades K-5 had a part. Ethan did a dance, Maddie was "Mama Minum Note" in their play, and Ellie sang in the chorus. They all did an excellent job!! Vijay tells Ethan daily that he is a very good dancer!

Ellie and Hannah
Maddie with YenSong and Annika
Auggie and Ethan

Saying Good-bye

Our branch had a party for the senior missionary couple that is headed home. The Fairbanks have been well loved by the branch, and by us.

Elder Fairbanks has been Alan's golfing partner on Saturday mornings, and they were also our Home Teachers. They are from Alaska, and Alan, Elder Fairbanks, and David Welch have already planned a fishing trip when we get back.

The party was really fun. They had it catered, with food that I would say was spicy, but our driver told me later that it wasn't very good, "not enough spice".

It was put on by another "expat" lady, Vicky, who is living in the branch. I mentioned to her one day that Elder Fairbanks loves homemade rootbeer. She asked how to make it and I told her that I had all of the stuff except a big water cooler to make it in.

She asked us to bring some. I didn't think the Indian people would like it very much because it is something that they don't have here. Alan has told me that the Bolivian people didn't like it much and Jennie Sleight, who served a mission in Chile, told me that the people there thought it tasted like cough syrup. We brought one bottle of syrup and 20 liters of water to make it with. WE SHOULD HAVE DOUBLED IT!! The people loved it. Especially the kids! I will make sure and bring more back in my suitcase when we visit home for summer.

This is a farewell song that was sung by someone in one of the other branches. It is in the Telugu language.

The Primary sang "I hope they call me on a Mission" and "Called to Serve"

This is a picture of Ethan's Primary teacher. He loves her. He keeps asking her if she can come and play at our house and have a sleepover. That night after we got home I was tucking him in bed and he told me that "Sister Pradika can sleep on the top bunk." I had to break the news to him that she is married and he looked at me and said "TO WHO?!?!"

After the party we realized that by June most of our friends will be leaving India. We are going to miss them a lot!