Baby Victories...

There aren't many things that make me excited in India. I'm daily fighting for my life with the Nature, trying to forge for food to sustain life, or attempting to communicate with the locals. However, we all joke about 'baby victories'. A 'baby victory' is very small thing that makes our day. I don't mean 'makes our day' for a moment, I mean 'makes our day and we keep talking about it for weeks victory'. I’m not sure why we call it a ‘baby victor’, but it just sounds cute. An example would be Bebi (our house mom) killing a huge spider and then exclaiming "SPIDER NO LIFE!!!", not getting caught in a monsoon, getting off at the proper bus stop, eating a decent meal, or even having a conversation with someone and understanding the content. These are all ‘baby victories’ in my life in India.

However, a ‘baby victory’ that comes almost everyday from someone in the States is mail. I want to thank all of you for your postcards, letters, packages, cards, and little notes. Biju, the guy in charge of us, joked with me today that he is going to start charging me handling fees because I’m getting so much mail (he really just wants American chocolate). I just wanted to take a moment and thank everyone!! The Janer for all the food, Jennifer (John, Spencer, and baby Carty) for all the countless hilarious letters, Caitlin for all your many packages (I cannot wait to see you in 2 weeks), Suzanna for your cute card, Ryan for my drinks and new pint glass (I drank this afternoon for you), Philip for your bootleg copy of my favorite movie (I still haven’t gotten it yet, but what do you expect with the two countries we are living in), Dancing Mandy for your wedding invitation, and Lyndsey for your fun card!!!

Thank you all so much for everything!!


(thank you Ryan)

Playgrounds in India...

Things are picking up in India. I've begun doing research for 'best practices' for human trafficking victims and visiting several safehouses for children rescued from brothels. It's very sad to see some of these little girls and knowing what they have seen and been through, but to see their smiling faces is wonderful!

Most of my days are now filled with research and traveling to different places, but today we stayed on campus to play around. Jacqi and I found this cute little playground on campus and decided to take advantage of it. I will say this was the best playground I've seen thus far in India...I'm still on the hunt rest assure.

Clearly...

The other day our group decided to visit the city of Fort Kochi to eat a decent dinner and have a few drinks. Fort Kochi is known for the famous Chinese fishing nets which are amazing to watch. However, we were more interested in acquiring food so we didn’t stop to take pictures. We found a fun place right outside the boat ferry where we could sit outdoors and order a feast of food/drinks.

(Knock Out Beer)

Menus are typically in English, but is quiet interesting to read some of the descriptions of “American Food”.

(thank goodness that was clarified)

We all had great time eating, drinking, and relaxing by the water. Tomorrow we will be celebrating July 4th complete with fireworks and Pizza Hut at a friend's apartment. I'm sure it will prove to be an amazing time and I promise to post pictures!!