So, we have been in our house for two weeks now. The kids have made friends in the neighborhood and Brian and I have too. It is quite a supportive bunch of international neighbors we have.
I have also made friends with a group of American ladies which I meet for lunch every so often. They have been completely helpful and full of tips.
I have learned that if I see something in the grocery store buy it, it might not be there tomorrow. You can not go to one store to buy all your groceries. There isn't such a store. My first two trips to the store closest to our house, I bought diet coke, chocolate bars and potato chips. I really couldn't recognize much else. I'm getting better and I am learning where to shop. It still takes several stores to find everything. I have been searching for dishwasher detergent for two weeks. They do not have many dishwashers in India. Anyway, I finally found it yesterday. I was so happy. I also had been looking for baking powder, went to six stores in three days before finding. It is trial and error. I learn from the other ladies what stores might potentially have what I need. However, the stores are often out of stock of many items. So you never know until you get there. The stores are not at all the same as in the US. Most of the stores that I shop in here are often dirty and aromatic. I'm getting used to it. I still gag sometimes. I have not been able to buy meat. I'm just not sure about it. Although, I hear from my friends here that there are several stores that sell safe meat.
Enough complaining! There are many nice things too. I have met a French baker that bakes bread 6 days a week and will deliver to our house. THAT IS SO NICE! We also get wonderful very fresh fruits and veggies (that I have to clean with my special germ killer wash, but still nice fruits and veggies!)
We have many things that make our lives easier. Our maid, Rosey, comes to our house smiling Monday - Friday, 9:00 - 4:00. I often feel very guilty about having her. She is so thankful to be working for our family though. She has had a very hard life and yet is very thankful for all the good that comes her way. We get along very well. She makes me realize I should be thankful for the life we have in India, and not so worried about all the things we are missing here.
An update on the kids (for the grandmas:)
Sarah received a special award last Wednesday at the school assembly for working hard in school. She was completely surprised and thrilled.
Jonathan got the highest score in the class on his math test and got a little prize. He was pretty happy about that. His confidence seems better this year. He is taking guitar lessons at school and seems to really like it.
MK is doing well too. She likes to chase the boys at recess. She loves her Spanish class and thinks she is going to be able to talk to the waiters at El Rincon when we are back in Canton in December.
We made chocolate chip cookies for the first time tonight. It took me a week to find all the ingredients, and I still couldn't find chocolate chips. I found chocolate bars though, and chopped them up. The baking made our house smell like home. The cookies were so so. Everything is just different here, the flour, the butter, the vanilla, the sugar, all different. We are eating the cookies though. I have already started a list of all the things I'm bringing back to India from the US in January.
Missing everyone!
I have also made friends with a group of American ladies which I meet for lunch every so often. They have been completely helpful and full of tips.
I have learned that if I see something in the grocery store buy it, it might not be there tomorrow. You can not go to one store to buy all your groceries. There isn't such a store. My first two trips to the store closest to our house, I bought diet coke, chocolate bars and potato chips. I really couldn't recognize much else. I'm getting better and I am learning where to shop. It still takes several stores to find everything. I have been searching for dishwasher detergent for two weeks. They do not have many dishwashers in India. Anyway, I finally found it yesterday. I was so happy. I also had been looking for baking powder, went to six stores in three days before finding. It is trial and error. I learn from the other ladies what stores might potentially have what I need. However, the stores are often out of stock of many items. So you never know until you get there. The stores are not at all the same as in the US. Most of the stores that I shop in here are often dirty and aromatic. I'm getting used to it. I still gag sometimes. I have not been able to buy meat. I'm just not sure about it. Although, I hear from my friends here that there are several stores that sell safe meat.
Enough complaining! There are many nice things too. I have met a French baker that bakes bread 6 days a week and will deliver to our house. THAT IS SO NICE! We also get wonderful very fresh fruits and veggies (that I have to clean with my special germ killer wash, but still nice fruits and veggies!)
We have many things that make our lives easier. Our maid, Rosey, comes to our house smiling Monday - Friday, 9:00 - 4:00. I often feel very guilty about having her. She is so thankful to be working for our family though. She has had a very hard life and yet is very thankful for all the good that comes her way. We get along very well. She makes me realize I should be thankful for the life we have in India, and not so worried about all the things we are missing here.
An update on the kids (for the grandmas:)
Sarah received a special award last Wednesday at the school assembly for working hard in school. She was completely surprised and thrilled.
Jonathan got the highest score in the class on his math test and got a little prize. He was pretty happy about that. His confidence seems better this year. He is taking guitar lessons at school and seems to really like it.
MK is doing well too. She likes to chase the boys at recess. She loves her Spanish class and thinks she is going to be able to talk to the waiters at El Rincon when we are back in Canton in December.
We made chocolate chip cookies for the first time tonight. It took me a week to find all the ingredients, and I still couldn't find chocolate chips. I found chocolate bars though, and chopped them up. The baking made our house smell like home. The cookies were so so. Everything is just different here, the flour, the butter, the vanilla, the sugar, all different. We are eating the cookies though. I have already started a list of all the things I'm bringing back to India from the US in January.
Missing everyone!
Wow, Kelly you have such a great attitude! Reading about you guys in India makes me think moving to Dallas will be a breeze! I love hearing how you guys are doing and about your new life. I am hoping we will be able to catch up with you guys over the Holidays. I know there will be about a million people who want to see you; maybe we will get lucky! If you want us to send you anything; please ask!!! What is your new address, by the way.
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Kathryn & the boys