Annika and Auggie move to India

1959 Royal Enfield Bullet

2011-06-09T04:19:00.000-07:00

** BULLET IS SOLD **

For Sale:
Royal Enfield Bullet, 1959

We have owned this Bullet for 2.5 years and have used it for joy rides around Whitefield and surrounding villages.

This is a fun piece of nostalgia, we will miss it.

Asking price: Rs. 70,000

Helen - 9008088489

Selling the Rickshaw

2011-06-02T03:49:00.000-07:00

** SOLD THE RICKSHAW **

Top up

I'm selling my beloved cycle rickshaw. I got a little chocked up taking these photos for this purpose. We've had some good times but now she just sits in my car port since the children ride their own bikes/scooters and no longer need "Mom's taxi".

I am a driver without passengers, hoping the rickshaw will go to a home that will love her as much as we do.

Asking price Rs. 11,000

Top down

Interior

Rear view

Helen - 9008088489

Erik's favorite pass-time... SCOOTER RIDES!

2011-01-14T02:58:00.000-08:00

What's not to love??

3rd Standard Leadership Camp

2011-01-11T02:54:00.000-08:00

Such a big girl!! Annika heading off to overnight leadership camp. She was so excited!!!

Walking to the school bus

Whoo-hoo, no school uniform. Annika loves to express her unique style. I love it!

All the third graders were buzzing!

Off she goes! See you tomorrow!

Auggie, I'll see you this afternoon.

Foot reflexology, KL style

2011-01-02T02:48:00.000-08:00

Yeah, I could like like this

New Year's Day/Bye Jenne!/Kapil's Bday

2011-01-01T02:29:00.000-08:00

Our last hurrah!

Oysters

Kapil looks psyched to try some escargot!

Annika has always said she'd like to try snails, she did, and she liked them!

Annika and Jenne decide to split a lobster, how about this one?

This isn't good-bye... 'till we meet again.

New Years in KL, Malaysia!

2010-12-31T02:09:00.000-08:00

We camped out under the twin Petronas Towers in the city center of Kuala Lumpur to ring in the new year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Happy Birthday Jenne! Penang, Malaysia

2010-12-27T02:14:00.000-08:00

Jenne with her special birthday bouquet

Jenne and Kapil

A chef at the hotel demonstrates how to create garnishes with fruits/vegetables

Penang, Malaysia

2010-12-26T02:02:00.000-08:00

Waiting for the bus from Kuala Lumpur to Penang.

Great comfort, easy travel, beautiful roads

Merry Christmas from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia!

2010-12-25T01:56:00.000-08:00

Street Food Malaysia!

2010-12-24T01:46:00.000-08:00

Makeover - Kuala Lumpur!

2010-12-22T01:25:00.000-08:00

Yippee! Beautiful girl!

Malaysia - Kuching, Borneo

2010-12-18T03:49:00.000-08:00

We were sorry to hear our dear friend Jenne would be leaving India at the beginning of 2011 but then she suggested we spend Xmas/New Years together in Malaysia as a fun last outing.
Since the kids have more vacation time than Erik and Jenne I decided to explore Kuching, Malaysia on Borneo with the kids before Erik and Jenne could join us in Kuala Lumpur.

To our joy, right on the waterfront in Kuching was a food cart selling Pearl Tea (Bubble tea). The kids were so happy, we haven't had bubble tea since the summer of 2008 and the price was right.

We visited the Pearl Tea cart once or twice a day, every day, for the week we were there.

Next big find? Steamed buns, preferably BBQ Pork but we tried several varieties, available everywhere and not available at all in Bangalore.

Pork bun by the Sarawak River.

As night fell out came these little butter cakes flavored by all sorts of fruit essences...

...we ended up buying a watermelon one.

Dinner! With Klasik Rut Bir! Mmmm!

Auggie was happy to see hot dog on the menu.

And it was delicious!

Annika ordered a plain hamburger

And was surprised to see little sardine faces smiling back at her after her first bite. Luckily Auggie's hot dog was HUGE and fed them both well.

With my meal I wanted something local so I didn't mind the pile of sardines looking up at me.

Sarawak Cultural Center

Auggie turning rice grain into rice flour

Annika learning to tie beautiful knots into jewelry

Exploring the different indigenous long houses

Tribal tattoos

Blow darts

Orangutans!

Walk to the feeding platform - wild Orangutans, proceed at your own risk! Yikes!

Crocodile Farm

Indus Sports Day

2010-12-10T04:11:00.000-08:00

August won his events for the pretrial heats for Indus Sports Day so he got to compete in the finals.

Standing long jump

Won 1st Place!

1st Place 100 meters!

Auggie being congratulated by his teacher Miss Divya

1st Place 50 meters!

THEN the 3rd grade sports relay was short a member and they asked August to fill in (a 1st grader) and during his leg of the relay he advanced his team from 3rd place to 2nd place! He was a hero! All the third grade congratulated him! It was amazing.

So August walked away with 3 golds and a silver and the title of 1st Grade Boys Champion which earns him a trophy.

All the boy and girl grade champions.

Grade champions with the PE staff.
SO PROUD!

Vickie at 2 months

2010-11-28T03:49:00.000-08:00

Puppy eye candy...

Annika's 8th birthday party... Karaoke style!

2010-11-20T03:42:00.000-08:00

Annika wanted a Karaoke birthday party and that's what she got.

Couldn't believe it worked out, found a guy who brought speakers, a sound system and two microphones. It worked great.

We also had a jewelry making station, Annika and her friends made ear rings, necklaces and bracelets.

Then, instead of ordering a birthday cake, I made cake decorating part of the party.

I made one chocolate cake, one vanilla cake and the kids were split up into two teams with exactly the same toppings and they went to work to make the best birthday cake they could.

And more singing...

And the finished cakes...

And more singing...

Happy Birthday love!!!

A few friends were invited for a slumber party so the party continued until the next morning but I was too exhausted to photograph that part. Hahaha.
Annika thanked us for a great party, I enjoyed it too.

Who got a puppy?

2010-11-19T09:14:00.000-08:00

WE DID!!!

Meet Vickie!

A friend of ours runs a french cafe here in Whitefield and in front of her cafe is a large undeveloped parcel of land, and on this land lives many street dogs. She and her family help look after the dogs but by no means own the dogs. She calls a local NGO (not-for-profit) when the dogs need medical help or spaying/neutering.

One of the dogs had a litter of 6 puppies. All was well for a couple of weeks then she went on a trip to Goa. When she returned all the puppies were gone and the mother had been in a terrible dog fight that left her shoulder ripped open. She didn't know where the puppies went; taken by people, wandered off, hit by a car, etc. She called the NGO to pick up the mother dog and went on with her business.

Several days later a village family came back to her cafe with a puppy, gave it back to her, and walked away. Well, it's not her dog, she can't have a puppy and run a hygenic cafe, so she put the puppy down on the ground.

The older dogs immediately started attacking the puppy and with no mother around to protect it she had to do something. She picked up the puppy and started making phone calls... who could dogsit the puppy while she looked for a home? She had heard we were the local dogsitters so she asked me if I'd be willing to take her. I said yes, the kids were thrilled!

We got Vickie (she came with that name so we kept it) on a Thursday night and by Sunday we were to give her up but we just couldn't. I called and said we'd keep her. :-)

My sweet girl turns 8!

2010-11-17T08:23:00.000-08:00

Before school on her birthday, Daddy woke Annika up and carried her to our room to open a few presents.

Annika's friend Sigrid sent a stuffed puppy from Norway through her Mom who was in Bangalore on business.

LOTS of earrings from Grandpa!

Table easel for our budding artist.

Dinner at a local Italian eatery Toscano

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Halloween!

2010-10-29T21:59:00.000-07:00

Halloween is at the same time of year as Diwali, and since we're in India, Diwali takes precedence, so our night of trick-or-treating gets moved around. This year it's Oct. 29th.

Annika went as a pirate (we bought costumes when we were in the US this summer)

Auggie changed his mind at the last minute and went as a Ninja. This Ninja outfit is from Japan and was a gift from Michael as a thank you for dog-sitting Shogun.

I asked August to draw on the faces and I'd cut them out.

Let the Trick-or-Treating BEGIN!

I got some CANDY!

Is that Jenne and her Happy Feet?

The big kids have fun on Halloween too!

Annika learns about natural disasters

2010-10-27T07:57:00.000-07:00

The 3rd Standard UOI (Unit of Inquiry) this term is Natural Disasters. The kids were broken up into groups and they had to research their natural disaster and report on it.

The wildfire crew!

Auggie liked the volcano group the best.

The Tsunami group made a really impressive model for their presentation.

Annika and her teacher Miss Allison (from Canada)

They're EVERYWHERE!!

Auggie breaks his arm

2010-10-25T06:12:00.000-07:00

This morning I brought my phone to my kickboxing class. Something I never do. And I left the ringer on normal, instead of muting, like I would probably do if I brought my phone to a class.
During the abs work out my phone rang, it was August's teacher telling me he's in the infirmary and they believe he has broken his arm. WHAT?!?!? I immediately run out of the class and start running home. I call Erik on the way and he tells me to settle down 'cause I'm in hysterics. I try to explain that I'm not hysterical it's just that I'm running and talking on the phone at the same time.
I get to school and the infirmary has done a beautiful job bandaging him up, immobilizing his arm, and gave him a beautiful sling (I really wasn't expecting much). I got him into the car and we rushed to the hospital.

Sling off, preparing for X-ray, he doesn't want to bend his arm.

X-ray Tech calming August down.

August getting his arm X-rayed - after being straightened and twisted my the Techs. OMG how he cried. Then they asked me to step out so they could take the X-ray.

Applying the cast - again his arm was twisted and contorted and the tears and screams flowed. But for the crack in his elbow to heal properly the arm had to be secured in a certain position.

Nap time. There was a lot of energy spent over the last few hours.

The hospital wanted August to stay for 2 hours after the cast was applied for observation, to make sure his blood was circulating properly and to make sure his fingers didn't swell. Daddy came from work to hang with us during this period.

A little R&R at home.

Well, maybe this cast is kind of cool.

My brother...

Females in Kerala Politics

2010-10-22T04:35:00.000-07:00

We passed many campaign posters with female candidates before I thought to start taking photos. In a country like India, Kerala is such a dramatic change. I like it here.

Weekend away, Part II, Jew Town, Fort Cochin, Kerala

2010-10-22T04:16:00.000-07:00

A short drive/ferry boat from our hotel is the Fort Cochin area of Cochin. We went there for a day trip of walking, shopping and local food and culture.

We really enjoyed the juxtaposition of an old Jew Town in a a small Indian city.

Weekend away, Part I, Vypin Island, Kerala

2010-10-22T03:04:00.000-07:00

Erik had a 3-day weekend and seriously needed some R&R. He was looking for a restful vacation spot without much travel. Vypin Island came recommended so we went.
1 hour flight and 1 hour car ride due west of Cochin and we were at our beach front hotel with an ocean view/balcony.

Lovely late afternoon monsoon

Dinner!

Fresh coconut water, Mmmm!

Tender coconut

Street food

And LOTS of swimming!!

Ah, now this is living!

1st Grade Field Trip Part II - Traffic Control Center

2010-10-20T09:46:00.000-07:00

The Bangalore Traffic Control Center happens to be at a police station, well guarded!

I was surprised to see how efficient the center was considering how chaotic Bangalore traffic can be.

You go Tiger!

1st Grade Field Trip Part I - Bangalore Light Rail

2010-10-20T08:56:00.000-07:00

I have so much fun going on these school field trips, not only do the teachers need a helping hand but I get to see things I wouldn't ordinarily see.

Ever since we moved to Bangalore we have slooowly seen the emergence of a light rail system. It still isn't functional but now there is a sample train available for touring.

Ooooh, all the places we'll go!

It's Fall!

2010-10-19T03:34:00.000-07:00

I was craving some pumpkin bread so Annika helped me make some pumpkin pulp for bread/pie and gather seeds for roasting.

But before I pressure cooked the pumpkin Annika insisted we take a slight detour and make a jack-o-lantern.

Cute!

Annika is no longer a Disney Princess

2010-10-19T02:23:00.000-07:00

There was a time when Annika was all about the Disney Princesses and the color pink. Now that she's nearly 8 she's over it with a vengeance.

One weekend she needed to go to a friend's house at the other end of the neighborhood and was resisting because she didn't want to walk. I told her to take her bike and that's usually what she does. She said no, she'd just walk instead.

I asked her why she wouldn't take her bike and she said it's because it has princesses all over it. So I suggested she paint it...

Before

work in progress

Where to plant the roses?

2010-10-19T01:14:00.000-07:00

For teacher appreciation the kids and I stopped at a local nursery and bought a few blooming plants to give to the teachers. While there I bought three little plants for myself. I left them on the front porch until I could buy some "mud" (soil) for some planters I have on my deck.

The gardener saw the plans sitting there for a couple of days and planted them for me...

...in the middle of the lawn.

What??

Blogger has been down

2010-10-19T00:19:00.000-07:00

I haven't been able to sign in to Blogger for nearly a month!
Here's what we've been up to!

Annika lost another tooth

2010-09-12T09:50:00.000-07:00

Annika has been working on this tooth for the last week. It finally came out tonight. It will be nice to not have the 15 minute updates.

In all the excitement August wanted to show us how his teeth are growing in.

Ganesh Chaturthi

2010-09-11T08:52:00.000-07:00

Auggie picking his Ganesha

Annika browsing for her Ganesha

Tiny kitty at the Ganesha stall

The statue I chose

The kids and their statues

Kids chose a statue for Gopi

Gopi will take his Ganesha home and perform a proper pooja before he puts his in the lake

Village Ganesha pooja

A family out for a festive evening

Ganeshas converging at the lake

Almost to the lake

A crane lowers the large statues into the lake

Auggie enjoying his last few minutes with his Ganesha

Since I was alone with the kids in this massive, pushing crowd of devotees I had them each hold an end of my pashmina and told them DON'T LET GO! A small person could really get lost in a place like this.

Auggie hands over his statue

The man in the middle is submerging August's statue

Until next year Ganesha... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Homemade pretzels

2010-09-09T08:43:00.000-07:00

I had a hankerin' for some warm, chewy, salty pretzels but I've never seen them here so I went to the internet to find out how to make them.

They're not very pretty but they fit the bill. They were great warm out of the oven but cold and day-old, not so much.

The recipe required the pretzels to be cooked at 550' and my little micro/convection oven couldn't get that high so I set it to the highest I could and cooked them a little longer.

Next I want to try making the small, thin, crunchy ones.

Water... now with H2O!!

2010-09-01T15:18:00.000-07:00

Gotta get me some!

Ganesha is coming!

2010-09-01T03:16:00.000-07:00

He's starting to pop up everywhere! So excited!

Buying eggs

2010-08-31T23:13:00.000-07:00

Out on a scooter ride and stopped to buy eggs.

Gift from Jenne

2010-08-31T15:11:00.000-07:00

We invaded her home, cooked brunch in her kitchen, and she thanks me with this beautiful gift. I love it.

Dog sitting - Hodge and Helli

2010-08-30T15:03:00.000-07:00

Our reputation as the local dog sitter is growing. Our first experience with bother & sister team Hodge and Helli has been great. Totally sweet dogs.

Hodge

Helli - Annika's favorite

Annika gets her sewing machine

2010-08-30T02:45:00.000-07:00

Annika got a small sewing kit for Christmas. Just a needle, several colors of thread, and some pieces of pre-cut fabric and instructions for how to make little pouches. Annika loved the kit and everyone in the family received several pouches.

From then she has been playing with waste fabric we received from a local lady's tailor and it's been non-stop ever since. And so have the requests for a sewing machine...

I received a mass e-mail from a charity, selling a few sewing machines, that rescues women and girls from traffickers. This charity teaches the women to sew so they can support themselves so they don't find themselves in the position they were in. The charity was given several sewing machines only they couldn't use them because they are domestic machines and the charity needs industrial ones. So they sold the donated machines to buy the ones they needed.

Annika doesn't know that part of the story, she just knows she's REALLY EXCITED!!

Yes, I'm working on getting a proper table.

Bedtime was hard tonight, she wanted to keep working, but she'll have plenty of time to learn her new skill.

Annika's assignment: Texture

2010-08-29T08:48:00.001-07:00

Potato sack
Annika's homework required her to submit 15 photos on a single topic such as a color, speed, emotion, etc. She chose texture and we loaded fresh batteries into the camera and took off for a local Sunday outdoor market.

rib cage of a hanging goat carcass
I'm so proud of her, she did an excellent job.

chili

onion skins

live chicken feathers

coconut

She took about 22 great photos and we cut them down to the required 15. India is such an amazing place for photography and digital cameras make it so easy to explore. I explained to Annika how we had to be careful taking photos when I was a kid because it cost money to develop every photo. She has the freedom to just click away...

Friendly faces from the Sunday market

2010-08-29T08:42:00.000-07:00

Does this meet OSHA standards?

2010-08-25T09:31:00.000-07:00

While running errands we drove past this construction site, I was a little taken by the staircase used by the workmen.

Is that a Metro train I see?

2010-08-24T09:26:00.000-07:00

The City of Bangalore has been working on it's Metro light rail for longer than we've been here. But I honestly never thought I'd actually see a train on the tracks. Well, surprise, now I've seen one. The system isn't running yet but at least that's progress!

Fun with the locals

2010-08-23T21:09:00.000-07:00

This lady had several goats both inside and outside her home. I stopped to observe them and she came outside to see what I wanted. I said, "Photo?" and she stopped so I could take one.

A couple of the goats inside her gate.

These laborers were as curious about me as I was about them.

They were all working on a road repair project... by hand!

Look at those guns!

Since the young guy was showing off the older dude wanted to show me what he was made of. Nice!

Pottery Town getting ready for Ganesha Fest

2010-08-23T08:48:00.000-07:00

Our first year in India was kicked off by the Ganesha Festival and it really gave us a great start to our adventure. I'm looking forward to the Festival coming again the 2nd week of September.

It's all Ganesha!!

From the small...

...to the huge!

Erik absconds with an auto rickshaw

2010-08-22T07:49:00.000-07:00

After an evening out with some friends we passed by a rickshaw stand. Erik immediately went to the first rickshaw in the line and started asking questions.

The driver gave Erik the key...

...then showed him how to start it...

...and he was OFF!!!

((Whoops, maybe that was a mistake.))

Erik was gone for a good 10 minutes and drove up and down the main road but this time with a passenger!!
Finally he came back through the parking lot and stopped.

As soon as he stopped the rickshaw he was surrounded by rickshaw drivers patting his back and shaking his hand. I believe they were impressed that he could drive it without killing the engine or himself.

Only in India.

To give you some idea of how big Shogun is

2010-08-17T09:51:00.001-07:00

If you look closely, you can see Annika laying on the other side of him.

Yes, when we dog sit, he sleeps with us. And sometimes the kids do too.

First day of school!

2010-08-09T07:37:00.000-07:00

My little 3rd grader and 1st grader!

August is wearing a school uniform for the first time! Such a big boy! And so proud!

Have a great day!

Getting measured for school uniforms

2010-08-08T09:43:00.000-07:00

Back to school orientation included getting measured for their official uniforms and picking up their P.E. uniforms

Auggie's friend Darcy - big 1st grader now

My big 1st grader

My 3rd grader! Where has the time gone??

Bye Sigrid!

2010-08-07T09:37:00.000-07:00

Annika took Sigrid out for a special day since Sigrid and her family will be moving to Norway in a few days.

The day included a trip to the fish spa then High Tea at a local 5-Star Hotel. Well, my camera battery ran out shortly after we arrived at the fish spa, but memories of Sigrid will live on in our hearts. I always enjoyed when Sigrid came to play and Annika feels she's losing a sister.

I guess we'll just have to make trips to Norway.

Auggie's first sleep-over

2010-08-06T09:35:00.000-07:00

Auggie's friend Darcy slept over. It was the first sleep-over for both boys, they did really well. Such a mile-stone.

Fun in the Bay Area: Packing up, Good-bye USA

2010-08-05T07:14:00.000-07:00

No trip to the Bay Area is complete without a trip to Half Moon Bay and a bowl of clam chowder at Barbara's Fish Trap.

Kids playing on the rocks while we waited for our table

Love that soup!

Dad and Kate enjoying the day.

Then Grandpa made vanilla ice cream with the kids.

Steve stopped by for one last good-bye

Bye Steve! We'll miss you!

How am I ever going to get everything into our suitcases???

Got 'er done, see you next time!

Fun in Burbank: Venice Beach

2010-08-05T06:05:00.000-07:00

We needed to get out and about and see the LA area. Erik had the idea to go to Venice Beach, looked great on paper... but the LA traffic reminded us of being back in Bangalore (except no black exhaust or constant honking or wildlife in the street).

Fun in Burbank: Family Reunion

2010-08-05T05:54:00.000-07:00

Brother and sister

The family

The cousins (minus Leah and Michael of course)

Fun in Burbank: Universal Studios

2010-08-05T04:27:00.000-07:00

We spent a week in Burbank so Erik could work at Technicolor headquarters. While he was off working... we were off having fun.

Universal Studios... so many celebrities, so little time

Fun in Portland: Fun with the Sanders/Stevens

2010-08-05T03:46:00.000-07:00

Fun in Portland: Picnic in the Park!

2010-08-05T02:17:00.000-07:00

We knew we wouldn't have time to visit all of our friends individually so we put out a FaceBook invite to join us at a park on a beautiful summer day.

Lots of great friends were able to stop by and spend some time with the Vignau family. LOVED IT!!!

WE LOVE PORTLAND!!
AND WE LOVE OUR FRIENDS!!!
T H A N K Y O U ! ! !

Fun in Portland: Carole's dog Brody

2010-08-05T01:58:00.000-07:00

We had the pleasure of staying with Erik's mom while we were in Portland. And while we stayed there we got cuddle with her little rescue dog Brody.

Fun in Portland: DAWN!

2010-08-04T03:17:00.000-07:00

Spending time with Dawn and picking fresh berries from her garden... what could be more Oregon to us?

Annika ate a whole bag of Dawn's homegrown frozen raspberries. It was a little indulgent but since we haven't had raspberries in a year and won't again for another year she could have all she could eat.

Family portrait while out for a walk in the Hawthorn district, beautiful.

Fun in the Bay Area: Auggie's toothless grin

2010-08-03T15:14:00.000-07:00

Auggie gets his first dollar bill instead of Rupees!!

Fun in the Bay Area: Dad's 70th Birthday

2010-08-03T03:09:00.000-07:00

We were lucky that our trip back to the Bay Area coincided with my Dad's 70th Birthday celebration. The real thing is so much better than Skype!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPA!!

Fun in the Bay Area: SF GIANTS vs Boston

2010-08-02T14:52:00.000-07:00

We took CalTrain to the ball park. On the way to the stadium we stopped into a Safeway. WOW!! SAFEWAY!! I had totally forgotten what a US grocery store looked like. Annika went crazy over kumquats and Auggie got some raspberries, what a well-deserved treat!

Is there any better US homecoming than a hot dog at the ball park? And what a gorgeous day! Beautiful weather is hard to come by in SF.

The SF Giants allowed the kids to run the bases after the game. Go Auggie Go!!

Fun in the Bay Area: FRIENDS!!

2010-08-02T02:37:00.000-07:00

Fun for the kids to be back together. Olive was born two months before we left for India, now she's walking, talking, and asserting herself as the little individual she is.

How we've missed you...

Fun in India: Prepping for our trip to the US

2010-08-01T02:23:00.000-07:00

Mahendi!

Mom's:

Annika's:

After the henna sits on the skin for an hour it's time to rub it off. Oh, it's a long hour and feels so good to get it off.

Leavin' on a jet plane...

2010-07-21T08:29:00.000-07:00

...don't know when I'll be back again.

Our flight leaves San Francisco on Wednesday the 21st and we land in Bangalore on Friday the 23rd. Looking forward to sleeping in my own bed.

Comin' to America...

2010-06-25T04:15:00.000-07:00

Hey - We're on our way to the US!!

We have a 4 hour flight to Dubai, a 2 hour layover, then a 16 hour flight direct to SF!! Incredible! Wish us luck flying for that long with two kids!

Annika's new toy

2010-06-24T09:38:00.000-07:00

Annika's new favorite toy is a Barbie-sized clothes-makers mannequin that came with a few strips of fabric and some accessories. She spends endless hours coming up with new designs.

When she got bored of the fabrics that same in her set she wanted to buy more cloth.

We went to a women's tailor and asked for "waste cloth". After looking at us questionably the tailor walked to the corner of her small shop and started putting handfulls of great cloth scraps into the burlap bag we had brought with us.

Some of the fabric was very simple but some had amazing bead work or great color/designs... she was so excited!! And even more excited that it was free!

When Bella met Shogun

2010-06-23T21:26:00.000-07:00

Little Bella had been staying with us for 3 weeks when Shogun came for a weekend visit. We were hoping the two would play and be friends but it never really happened. They mostly coexisted within the same house. Shogun was curious about Bella but he was chivalrous enough to stay back when she didn't show interest in him.

Taco Bell - wrong boarder

2010-06-23T14:55:00.000-07:00

The first day of Summer Vacation we headed out to the Mantri Square Mall - it's the largest mall in India and home to India's 1 and only Taco Bell. It took us 1.5 hours to get there. (If we had freeways it would have taken about 20 minutes)

We were so excited to finally see it!

What is a quesadilla? Press the button to find out.

Free refills! And a dude to help you since this is the first free refill site in India and people get overly excited.

The kitchen

The kids excited to sink their teeth into their food

Oh... it's not the same. :-( The experience was highly anticipated and didn't meet our expectations. But that's OK since it's nearly a 2 hour drive and we wouldn't be able to go very often anyway.

As we were leaving we saw a sign for Swenson's Ice Cream Parlour. Maybe next time...

When East meets West

2010-06-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

I love this!

You can get anything you want...

2010-06-22T12:47:00.000-07:00

...at Annika's Restaurant

Annika and her friend Sigrid decided to open a restaurant. They made up a menu then went around the neighborhood trying to get customers. Luckily Sigrid's sister Mira is always a good sport.

"Shef" Annika

"Water" Sigrid

Their first customer!!

The order: two almond cookies with peanut butter and a glass of apple juice.

Mmmmm, I'm sure she'll be back!

August's loose tooth

2010-06-22T08:35:00.000-07:00

Ahhhh... I mean, August's toothless grin!

Big thanks to Uncle Dagan and all his hard work helping with loose teeth #1 & #3.

Gopi gets a visit from an Hijira

2010-06-21T23:57:00.000-07:00

I am so curious about the Hijira culture and I'm always excited to see them but I don't always have my camera ready.

Here Gopi gave her a couple Rupees at a stop light. They tend not to bother westerners.

Happy Father's Day...

2010-06-20T06:51:00.000-07:00

...to two of the best Dads out there!!

Crown Princess of Sweden got married today!

2010-06-19T00:36:00.000-07:00

Google images

Two girls out for a joy ride

2010-06-17T00:45:00.000-07:00

Annika and Sigrid

What we did in Kindergarten

2010-06-16T00:32:00.000-07:00

Student recap of the year's work

Annika's end-of-the-year ceremony

2010-06-15T00:17:00.000-07:00

Classmates excited for the end of the school year.

I'm a 3rd grader now!

Annika's teachers held an award ceremony where every student was recognized for improvements, achievements and overall participation in class.

THANK YOU TEACHERS!

August's Graduation

2010-06-15T00:03:00.000-07:00

He's a 1st grader now!!

August's teacher, Ms. Sharayu... she was WONDERFUL!!

They let the olders siblings attend the graduation if they wanted to, Annika was so proud of her brother.

August accepting his dipoloma.

THANK YOU TEACHERS!!

Scooter picnic with the kids

2010-06-14T23:46:00.000-07:00

To get to the perfect picnic site Erik had to sacrifice his shoes. But it was all worth it...

Cows, palm trees, green grass and a picnic blanket, what else do you need?

On the way home we stopped to try some local corn

Nice day.

Enjoying the Monsoon

2010-06-13T23:42:00.000-07:00

The neighbors across the street had planned a pool party one afternoon. Good thing they didn't let the monsoon downpour destroy their party

I grabbed my camera just as the group was coming back from running around the streets/park enjoying the warm rain.

I think they were a little freaked by the lady across the street taking photos of them. Hahaha

Bella watching the show.

August's birthday party

2010-06-12T21:53:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Auggie!!

In the month before his birthday I kept asking Auggie what he wanted to do for his birthday party. He said he wanted to go to Toscano and make pizza and cupcakes with his friends. I said, "No you don't" and I kept looking for a place where a bunch of 5/6 year olds could run around and play. I was running out of time and every time I'd ask him he'd again say Toscano to make pizza. So finally I listened...

Restaurant Toscano all prepped for 15 kids to invade.

First stop, a quick snack of french fries while all the guests gathered and settled down.

Or tried to settle down

Next stop, every child was given a chef's hat, an apron, a blob of dough and a rolling pin.

Once the dough was sufficiently rolled on came the toppings!

The birthday boy's pizza.

I'm thinking "boy I'm glad this mess isn't in MY house"

--- --- ---

When all the pizzas were in the oven it was time to decorate cupcakes. Every child got 2 and all the toppings they could handle.

--- --- ---

Pizza is ready!!!

--- --- ---

Presents!!!

--- --- ---

Cake & singing

It was a great party, Toscano did a great job organizing and executing. Kids went home with bellys' full + go-home boxes with any remaining pizza and cupcakes. Parents didn't have to cook that night!

And even though I didn't believe it, this is the party he wanted and he loved every minute of it.

August's birthday @ home

2010-06-12T20:52:00.000-07:00

August opening family gifts the morning of his birthday.

Grandpa always sends something for Annika too. They love these sticker mosaic kits!

Lightsabers!

Annika getting started on her mosaics.

August's birthday pose with his mosaic kit. He's guarding it with The Force.

Doggie waiting at the cross walk

2010-06-11T20:44:00.000-07:00

The dogs of India are amazing
On many occasions I've watched dogs cross crazy traffic by observing the flow and going when it's safe. Now I finally caught a photo.

August, Aquatics meet

2010-06-10T05:21:00.000-07:00

Before the Kindergarten aquatics meet we had a short demonstration of Monkeynastix, an exercise program at school just for the little guys. The children demonstrated a small obstacle course one-by-one...

Nailed it!!

Then off to the pool...

Auggie is excited about the competition

So is his best friend Darcy (Australia but grew up in Malaysia and Delhi)

Darcy receiving last minutes instructions

Auggie is the blue arm, furthest right

Every participant got a medal... YEAH AUGGIE!!!

Annika, Aquatics meet

2010-06-09T04:57:00.000-07:00

Indus held it's annual aquatics meet. Grade 2 was on a separate day than Kindergarten so I could devote my full attention to Annika.

Annika and her friend Yngvil (Norway) were working off some pre-swimming jitters.

First race... and off they go! Yngvil was LIKE A BULLET!!

Horray!

Yngvil won this race...

...and went on to get Gold in freestyle, back stroke and breast stroke! Every stroke had 2-3 heats and the overall winners were the ones with the 3 best times.

Annika and I left at noon after her events were over. Yngvil stayed and participated in the afternoon relays... in which she won 3 more Gold!! Six in all! Awesome!

Since I had the afternoon alone with my gal I took her to lunch and we toasted to a fun competition.

Technicolor shows its creative side

2010-06-08T14:51:00.000-07:00

Technicolor shows its creative side
June 08, 2010|By Richard Verrier, Los Angeles Times

The longtime film processing firm is venturing into the highly competitive business of making animated TV series. For its first project, it's teaming with Pulitzer-winning cartoonist Berkeley Breathed on 'Pete & Pickles.'

The whimsical children's book "Pete & Pickles" tells the story of an unlikely friendship between two mismatched characters: a free-spirited circus elephant and a strait-laced pig.

The theme also applies to the odd pairing of the book's author, the irreverent cartoonist Berkeley Breathed, with the buttoned-down French company that has bought the rights to his book.

Technicolor, the longtime film processing company and world's largest producer of DVDs, is venturing into an improbable new business of producing animated TV series, starting with an adaptation of "Pete & Pickles" and, eventually, feature films.

It marks the latest move by Technicolor, whose parent company was formerly known as Thomson, to adapt to the digital revolution that is reshaping Hollywood and evolve from a provider of back-office services to the studios into a creator of content.

"Technicolor has a 95-year history of helping creative talent realize their vision," said Tim Sarnoff, president of the company's newly formed digital production division. "We believe that taking the next step of putting some of our skin in the game is a logical extension."

The venture is risky: Children's animation is a notoriously unpredictable business, subject to the whims of young viewers, and dominated by Disney and Nickelodeon.

But Technicolor isn't starting from scratch and already has partnerships with major producers in the field. The company's India studio has built up an animation-for-hire facility where most of the work on "Pete & Pickles" will be done.

"It makes perfect sense for them because they are so heavily steeped in media already and they have the resources to start investing and creating intellectual properties that they can both produce and exploit," said Ron Diamond, president of Animation World Network, an online publishing group.

Leading the effort is Sarnoff, the former head of the visual effects house Sony Pictures Imageworks, who was recruited by Technicolor last year. Since then, he has been assembling a team of high-profile animation executives, hiring industry veterans Jean MacCurdy, a former president of Warner Bros. Animation who helped launch the Kids WB network, and Fonda Snyder, a former Disney Channel executive and co-founder of Storyopolis Productions, the family entertainment company backed by billionaire Paul Allen.

Annika

2010-06-06T10:52:00.000-07:00

Hey... if you're not familiar with the name that's a darn good alternative spelling.

Bella

2010-06-05T13:49:00.000-07:00

We're babysitting this adorable, year old, sweetheart of a Maltese for 3 weeks. Her owners have lived in Bangalore for 3 years and now they're off to their new assignment in Ankara, Turkey. At the moment they're living in a hotel but hotels do now allow dogs so we have the pleasure of her company. She's so sweet, everyone seems to turn to putty when they're around her.

Hard day...

Happy Birthday Auggie Doggie!

2010-06-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

Today my little guy is 6.
He has promised to stop sucking his thumb and learn how to ride his bike. He's doing great on both projects.

Puppies!!!

2010-06-03T10:54:00.000-07:00

A new batch of 5 puppies were born to a street dog at a tea stall at the end of our street. Such sweet puppies.

There's a little face sleeping behind Mama dog.

Fish Spa & Foot Reflexology

2010-06-02T10:40:00.000-07:00

Trilby getting her legs/feet washed - can't have those fishies nibbling on lotion or other residues

Oh, what a feeling!

Say... FISHY!

Mmmm, foot reflexology... could have stayed there all day.

Silk weavers in ChicPet

2010-06-01T10:06:00.000-07:00

A small group of friends were having fun getting lost in ChicPet when I came across a slightly open door. I peeked inside and saw these weaving machines filled with the brightest colors of silk thread.

The men inside invited us in and seemed as excited about our excitement as we were.

They turned on one machine for us so we could see the fabric they were producing. Amazing

Shopping...

The girls look through the silk scarves looking for a deal

Life...

Strange sight, lonely man ironing in a small crevice between two buildings

Photos by Annika

2010-05-29T05:12:00.000-07:00

Who is that cutie pie?

Annika's favorite stuffed animal, Cloud.

Sorting grain

2010-05-28T05:09:00.000-07:00

Today I went to a business office to turn in some paperwork regarding our visas. When I came out of the office and into the parking lot next door I observed these 3 people, sitting on a blanket, sorting grain. I found it a bit odd. They laughed when I asked if I could take their photo.

My pretty girl

2010-05-26T04:59:00.000-07:00

Annika was about to go to a birthday party when I saw my Mom in her face. I had to stop and take a few photos.

Pokémon cards do not wash well

2010-05-24T04:50:00.000-07:00

Big storm

2010-05-23T05:05:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we had an intense storm with heavy winds and side-ways rain. The next morning when we surveyed the damage...

...our Xmas tree had taken a tumble, I found it laying on the ground with it's pot in several pieces.

Our front papaya tree was snapped with green papayas littering the front yard.

Farewell Osnat

2010-05-21T04:38:00.000-07:00

I've been taking yoga from an Israeli woman named Osnat for the past year and a half. She's not the touchy, feely, karma type of yoga guru but she's simply amazing.

In this photo you can only see the back of her head and her backpack on the chair. We didn't know she is horribly opposed to having her photograph taken. But since so many of us brought cameras she agreed photos could be taken from behind her.

We pooled our money and bought her a pair of yoga pants (a style she complimented one of her students on several times) and, because we couldn't buy a gift certificate to Urban Yoga, a roll of money so she could go buy herself something to remember us by.

We had such a great time getting to know Osnat on a personal level. We all wished we had done it sooner, it was so nice to hear her stories and laugh together.

I feel kind of bad about this photo, the woman I was sitting next to snuck a photo and got away with it so I tried it too. I should have respected Osnat's wishes but I really wanted a photo to remember her by.

It was a great day.

Annika wraps gifts

2010-05-19T04:35:00.000-07:00

I think you need a little more tape.