Its going to be a list again

I am sorry dear friends, I have to write in a list again. If you do a search of the most oft-repeated word in my blog, it will be list. I am deeply sorry to all of you who are used to reading paragraphs.

1. I think eating raw mango and red chili powder (paprika) and salt is as close to perfection this side of heaven. If eating that is wrong, I don't want to be right. I could eat it non-stop and I did; all summer vacations from the ages of 7-14. My sister and I stole picked without permission from neighbours, my cousin and I raided her Dad's tree. I am just keeping it real here. It was like a disease. At the end of the day, we all suffered from stomach aches feasting on mangoes all day long. Oh, the stories I could tell!

2. It annoys the heck out of me that my husband can't go into a clinic here and have his cholesterol check done (he doesn't take medicines) without a prescription from a doctor. And then after it is done, he has to go to the doctor again so that he (the doc) can read off the chart which the nurse has highlighted for him. Why can't they change the system? Grrrrr

3. Hubby and I had a Countrywide credit card which by pure mistake we went over the limit. They charged us $39 and since it was a first time offense, DH called to ask if he could have it taken off. They said no. We were unhappy, but figured that is how it was. A day later, he was on the phone again for something else and was put on hold for 15 minutes. They had the automated message going on "It is our privilege to serve you, and please do let us know how we can serve you better." He mentioned to me (jokingly) that "Hmmm, I will tell you how to serve me better. Please waive the $39 fee." I told him if he actually does that, I will do something. For the sake of privacy, let me just say that I made him an offer he could not refuse. Hubs actually went ahead and said it and got the fee waived off. I was speechless.

4. DH was after me for a month to make an Indian delicacy called Paalappam. It is made with ground rice, coconut, milk, yeast, sugar and looks like a pancake. It needs a day of prep work and is not an easy dish to make. Finally, I did make it last Sunday and it was so fluffy and it tasted amazing. It was totally melt in the mouth and I ate 6. Please don't judge me. R also ate 6. All that effort, and I ended up with just 12 paalappams. We ate with vegetable stew.

5. Speaking of time consuming Indian food preparation, yesterday I made 4 dishes and it took 3 hours to cook. Honestly, sometimes I wish I did not like Indian food so much. That is the reason why I have to spend hours cooking. There are no shortcuts, no easy ways. Or maybe I am not aware of any. Everything is made from scratch. The expression "chained to the stove" must have come from there. If I were a traditional Indian stay-at-home wife, I would have had no time to get out of the kitchen. On the other hand, if I were a traditional Indian stay-at-home wife in India, the maid would be doing all the cooking. How I wish I had a maid to do all the cooking and cleaning. One day I dreamed I had one, and then I woke up and found it was just me. It was a good dream while it lasted.

6. Today was my boss's 70th birthday and he said some nice things to me like it was my birthday. He said I was a blessing to the company and I am a trustworthy and very capable person. (He said more, I am not writing all that down) I almost teared up. He said that if he gets to meet my parents, he wants to tell them that I am a good reflection of their upbringing. Words are so powerful, his just made my day.

7. I have been wearing skirts and dresses exclusively for the past month or so, and it feels great! Hubby likes it, I like it, it just feels comfortable! Not that I have anything against jeans - I was a jeans girl myself and hope to go back to it, but skirts rule my wardrobe for now.

Thats all for today.

Bahamas - Cocoa Cay

See Day 1 here

Next day we went to Coco Cay which is a private island owned by Royal Carribbean. There was not a whole lot to do in the island. I have to admit that I am pretty scared of all water activities. We stay away from beaches as a general rule. I have tried learning swimming (twice) and has not really succeeded. I can float like a lily on 3-ft water, but anything more than that, I totally panic. My husband can be underwater, but at the moment he comes above, he sinks to the bottom. So basically, between us, we are sure to drown.

We managed to do two activities while we were there. One was jet skiing and the other was kayaking. Jet skiing ended up being very very scary. We were supposed to follow this group and somehow or the other ended up off the track. We got an earful from the people who were guiding us. They thought we were doing it on purpose and mentioned we were endangering others and ourselves with our antics. Ahem. The antic being that we tried to follow orders and follow a straight line. We started out second and ended up being last. That did not sit well with both of us. *grin* Becasue we inadvertantly veered off, it was a very jerky trip for us and I thought I would fly off many times. I was scared to death. We made it back without getting killed, but my behind was sore for the whole day.

My smile is a mere insincere front, R on the other hand is showing his true feelings.

We came back, had lunch and then went kayaking. After the trauma of jet skiing, it was a piece of cake. We got out into less than knee deep water, picked up sea cucumbers (slimy!) and starfish. Our tour guide said kissing a star fish brings 7 years of good luck.

I figured it was a good ROI.

The slimy sea cucumber

After coming back from kissing starfish and handling sea cucumbers, this is what we did. (Actually I went to sleep, not lie down and pose for pictures)

And it was lovely.

In the evening was our formal dinner.

It was my birthday that Saturday and they brought me a cheesecake with a candle on it and sang Happy Birthday. Hubby had forgotten to let them know, but the couple who sat next to us was very insistent and they told the wait staff. The couple were celebrating their anniversary as well. Later, there was a juggling show and a married people quiz. I was hoping they would pick us to be participants. After the show was over, I was extremely thankful that we weren't picked. It was way too embarassing. We now know way too much about the three couples who participated. The private person in me about died at the information revealed and later broadcasted on their cable channel.

Relaxed day, fun activities, nice dinner. And to share it all with my best friend? I couldn't have asked for a better birthday.

Happy Birthday

Here is an interesting thing you never knew about my parents. They share the same birthdate. They have 5 years difference between them, but both share a birthday today.

I read Proverbs every day (based on the date) while I have breakfast and last month when I was reading Proverbs 31, suddenly Mama came to mind. Surprisingly, the thought had never occurred to me before. She was and is a true Proverbs 31 woman. Especially the part about rising up while it is yet night and provides food for the household. I especially remember this one thing about her fondly. She does a lot of things amazingly well, but holding a tune is not one of them (I inherited it). She is a godly woman and so while it was yet night, she would wake up and sing make a joyful noise unto the Lord and read the Bible and pray. We were all expected to be down there at 5:45 am for family prayer, but I think most of the days, no one except Dad would show up. She worked full time and she was really good at what she was doing. She rose to meteoric heights in her career and I am so proud of her. Looking back, I am amazed at how she did it all. She rasied 3 children (one special needs), held a very responsible job, and even found time to sew and mend our clothes. My dad had to travel a lot for his job while we were children, and so a lot of time, she did it all alone. She plays a mean game of Chinese Checkers although I beat her at it all the time. She will not admit it either. At 61 years she learned driving and at 62 years, she is learning yoga. She is a force to be reckoned with and will give you a run for your money. I just want to thank her for a sacrificial life and the godliness she modeled to us daily. Happy Birthday Ma and may you have many more.

Dad and I have a very special relationship. We both share a love of Mathematics. He taught me until the 10th grade. He is a great teacher and some of my best memories are learning the 12 times tables and doing quadratic equations in the evenings. I always knew in theory that there was nothing I could do that would make him stop loving me and I have had it proved over the years. If I could describe him, I would quote James 1:27. I think about the words "unspotted from the world" and I remember how he would always be behind the scenes in all the weddings in the family. He would hardly be in any of the pictures as he was making sure all the other details were in place. He loves his children unashamedly and is not afraid to show it. When I moved out of the home I had lived for 23 years and came to Ohio for graduate school, my dad changed the clock in my room to read Ohio time. As I grow older, I realize how much of my life values, principles, and idealism is directly from him. When I call him after 6 days, instead of the usual 5 days, he says that it has been ages since he heard my voice. That always makes me laugh. He is a careful spender and has always in his life made careful financial decisions. When I wanted to study here, and was initially not offered a scholarship, he put all his savings on the line for me. By God's grace, I never did have to use it, but I can never forget that he trusted me enough to do that. He is the best Daddy a girl could ever wish for. Thanks Papa for a Christlike love for your family and may God bless you with many more happy, healthy years.