Sunday, July 31, 2011

Beginnings in Bombay

Foreword:  For my elementary teacher friends, or friends with elementary age children, you will "get" the introduction!  If you fall outside of their of those categories, find a child and ask them to explain to you what they know about Jack and what they know about Annie, the main characters from Mary Pope Osborne's incredibly popular series, Magic Tree House.


In preparation for our trip to Mumbai, I did what I do best:  I read!  From Frommer's and Lonely Planet India travel guides, to Shantaram and A Fine Balance.  I surfed India Mike and spent hours on the New Teacher Orientation webpage to learn all I could possibly learn about our new home.  Like Jack, I needed to be prepared for what I was about to experience.

On many occasions during the last 5 days, I have feel much like Jack and Annie...swept up and tossed into one of Morgan LeFay's adventure books
     The wind started to blow
     The tree house started to spin
     It spun faster and faster
     Then everything was still
     Absolutely still...
Unlike Jack, however, in this amazing, fast paced land, there is not always time to stop and open up the book again to help me understand what is going on!  Once you arrive, India is "in your face!"  We heard that expression repeatedly during orientation at the recruiting fair, however, here is simply no way to prepare yourself for all that awaits you.   While I am very pleasantly surprised at how well I am adjusting and accepting, there are a few things for which I simply did not have schema!  These are just a few things that were "unknown"  for me.

Traffic:  I had read about this, but Holy Cow!  The streets are jam-packed with buses, vans, taxis, rickshaws, bicycles, motorbikes, people, cows, goats, beggars!  There are no lanes and size definitely matters when it comes to traffic in Mumbai!  They turn right from the left lane, across several other vehicle and the horn never stops honking!  It is simply a friendly way to let others know you are coming!  Rick and Larani experienced their first rickshaw and taxi ride.  I'm still waiting for mine!

Monsoon:  Our first day was a lovely overcast day with no rain.  Since then, it hasn't stopped! My Grandma Derryberry would call it a "gully washer!"   However, it does not slow anyone down!  The streets are just as crowded during a downpour as any other time.  I am thankful for our Teva's and Croc's, as it is not unusual to wade in water calf or knee high!  I do LOVE falling asleep to the pitter patter of the rain on the windows!  Makes for excellent sleeping!

Crows:  Speaking of sleeping, I have learned that I can be lulled to sleep by the caw of a crow!  There are hundreds of black crows in the trees outside of our flat and they caw all the time!  You often see where street vendors will dump their days remains for the crows to eat and there will be a black spot 30 feet deep full of crows!  There are no sea gulls, even though the Arabian Sea is simply 3 blocks away, but the crows make up for them!

Light Switches...
Need I say more?


Outlets:  I am not accustomed to turning on my electrical outlets!  Each 220 outlet also has a switch, which you must turn on, in order to have electricity.  Plugging in the computer to charge without turning on the outlet will result in a dead computer!

 Turning on the Geezer ( and I NOT talking about sexually arousing the old man!):  In order to have hot water, you much flip yet another switch!  This turns on the geezer (new vocabulary for small hot water tank).  Give it 10 minutes or so, and you will have all the hot water you need for your shower, laundry or to wash dishes.  Just have to remember to shut OFF the geezer!  Always easier said than done!



notice the beautiful marble floors!
Humidity:  Don't get me wrong,  I knew it was going to be hot and humid and it is!  There is a wonderful breeze blowing off of the Arabian Sea and even I have needed a light sweater on a few occasions.  However, our flat had 3 dehumidifiers in it, which have been plugged in and running nonstop since we arrived.  What I didn't realize is that you would have to empty your dehumidifier 3x per day during monsoon!  That is a lot of water in the air!

Look Right:  In India, cars drive on the opposite side of the road that we do in the US.  Therefore, when you cross traffic, you must "look right", stick out your hand in front of the approaching van, taxi, rickshaw, bicycle, bus, etc, and step confidently into the street.  Not there yet, but getting some good modeling from the folks who have been here a while!

Jet Lag:  This is my first international travel.  On occasion, we have driven across time zones and many years ago I traveled to Hawaii.  In my mind, I thought I would be exhausted and just need to sleep for a day or two to catch up. But, no, that is not the case!  They say it takes one day for every hour difference between your origin and your destination.  That means 9.5 days for me!  At this point, I am up at 5 (this morning 2:30, which is why my blogs are getting caught up!), take a 30 minute power nap in the afternoon and go to bed between 9 and 10.  That may not sound too unusual, but this girl loves her sleep!  Getting up at 5 a.m. is NOT a part of my routine!  Even Tully and Larani are generally up between 5 and 6!  Tully has fallen asleep with his head on the dinner table on several of our evening outings!

and finally, Visiting Cards:  Look at the picture on the left.  What would you call these?  Business cards?  Yes, in the US.  Here, they are called "visiting cards."  Every store, shop, restaurant, business has them and we are accumulating quite a selection.  The important things about the visiting card is the phone number.  Now, in the US, you might call and order a pizza to have it delivered on a Saturday night.  Here, in Mumbai, if you want a scoop of chocolate chip cookie dough at 9:00 at night, you simply ring the closest Baskin Robbins, tell them what you would like, and it will be delivered to your door in a few short minutes!  Whether you need groceries, a drying rack, food or dessert, just ask and it shall be delivered!

Like Jack and Annie, we are finding many treasures here in Beautiful Bombay.  If the first 5 days are any indication, we may just not ever go back to Frog Creek!




Well, we finally made it Mumbai!  After 2 very long plane rides, complete with delays, we arrived Thursday morning at about 12:30.  We were greeted by the school's administration team and many support members who swept up our luggage and delivered us to our flats.  I was thrilled to learn that we would be living in Kiara Building!  Many teachers and their families live in that building, including a family with a boy Tully's age and another one year older.  Our flat is nice and big...3  bedroom, 3 bath (actually one of the baths has the washer and dryer in the shower area) with beautiful marble floors!  The view from every window is absolutely amazing!  Lush greenery out every window!  From Tully and Larani's windows, we can watch the little girls walking to school in their uniforms to Petite Girls School.

ASB has been so incredibly supportive with our transitions.  They have taken us to dinner every evening, had a driver pick us up and deliver us and provided a very generous settling in allowance that is helping us to get the items we need to set up our new home.  They have also arranged a variety of shopping events, from local markets to Phoenix Mills mall.

On Friday, we made our first visit to ASB and had our first New Teacher Orientation Session.  After a very inspirational introduction from Superintendent, Craig Johnson, we toured the school, had lunch on an open air patio (there was an amazingly cool breeze blowing to ward off the heat!) and then attended a business fair set up by the school in the multi-purpose hall (MPH).  The school had arranged to have the following vendors there to help us settle in and to accomplish important business!
*Bank-we signed up for our checking accounts.  Hmmm...how much in Indian Rupees and how much to go to US bank in dollars?
*Loop Mobile-while we can't get a phone until we have registered with FRRO, we did find out that the cost of our plan will just be deducted from our pay.  No bill to pay!
*Medical-Dr. Ajit is the school physician and he is in the school on Friday's.  We have his personal number and can call at any time.  I have an appointment with him on Friday morning to take him my medical record.  He is going to provide me with the name of a cardiologist and help me get an appointment made at the Asian Heart Institute.
*Passport Photos-you need multiple copies of your passport photo for official business here in the Maximum City, such as FRRO, shipping, etc.  They took our picture and made a bunch of copies, should we go off and forget the ones we had made prior to our arrival. (speaking from experience on this point!)
*House help-the school had binders full of resumes and letters of recommendations for Nannies, Maids, Cooks and Drivers.  We have already arranged for house help, but the phone number I had for Monica is not working.  I have several people working on getting her correct number.  I am SO ready for her to start!
*Reimbursement!-We filled out forms and turned in receipts for expenses incurred over the last few months.  The school is reimbursing the following costs:  visas, medical (shots/physical), air travel, and costs related to our trip to Memphis and the laptop institute.
*Cash Distribution- WHAT?  Yes, cash distribution.  We were able to pick up our 2nd envelope of settling in money for the weekend.  We plan to use ours for a TV (primarily for movies and Tully's video games...at this point, we are not subscribing to cable) and bedding/household items.
*Weekend Excursions- we were able to sign up for a  different dinner option for each weekend night.  One of those nights would be dinner at the Superintendent's home.  There were also options for shopping.  Pali Market, Phoenix Mills Mall and of course, our trip to FRRO!
*Shipping-I met Gulnaz, our representative from IGL, the shipper we selected.  What a sweet, lovely lady!  She informed us that our shipment was expected to arrive in port on July 31 (that means it should be here!  Yay!) and will take 8-10 days to clear customs.  Tully is hoping they don't confiscate the 14 Nerf guns he shipped!
*Tablet distribution-Each teacher is provided an amazing laptop that converts to a tablet.  Mine is touch screen and I am working hard at getting used to it!  They also provided us with a jump drive that provides internet until they can get to our flat to install internet.

From the minute I signed my contract at UNI in February, I had a peace about our decision to come to Mumbai and be a part of the American School of Bombay.  Since that time, that decision has been affirmed over and over.  I cannot imagine another school anywhere in this big, wide, wonderful world that could possibly be any more supportive than ASB!  No doubt- we definitely made the right choice!


Wednesday, July 6, 2011

So Much To Do

20 days and counting and boy, are the days slipping away at a rapid-fire pace! 

Let me start by saying that I am feeling wonderful!  I have seen every doctor under the sun and all have given me a clean bill of health and the go-ahead for the move to Mumbai.  Thank you, Jesus!  I also go to “cardio rehab” 3 times a week, which is basically monitored exercise.  It is good to get back into an exercise routine and especially reassuring to have a heart monitor on as I do my work out.   So physically, I am feeling good and the recovery seems to be going extremely well!

In the last 2 weeks, I have had the chance to catch up with some good friends.  Dinner in Joplin with DeGee Brown and Teresa Fugate, as well as a few other former Reading Recovery teacher buddies. DeGee and I taught RR and Teresa was our amazing Teacher Leader.  By far, the BEST teacher I have ever had!  We caught up in Joplin and spent most of the evening talking about the Joplin tornado.  Teresa has been so helpful with her overseas advice, having taught in Rio and Lima.  Earlier, she shared some precious advice to help us prepare for a big move.  I just went back and reread her words in order to remind myself of her suggestions.  Thanks, Teresa!

We have also been able to unload lots of our belongings!  We have had 2 garage sales, and were able to give things we had left to a family whose home had burned.  I am sending several boxes of school resources and classroom library books to Joplin. I know someone will be able to put them to good use there!  Can you imagine your entire classroom literally being blown away and having to start all over?

Rick and I were able to slip away on the motorcycle to Mt. Magazine for a few wonderful days!  Think about it…Rick had left on May 11 for National Guard state emergency duty in Sikeston, MO to help with the floods.  On Monday, May 23, his unit drove from Sikeston to Joplin for state emergency duty after the tornado.  The following Wednesday evening, I had my “episode” and spent the next 5 days in the hospital.  Since then, it has been insane!  I am thankful to have a husband who recognizes how important it is for us to take time for one another!  Couldn’t have asked for a more perfect 3 day get away!
Our fabulous room with a view

Our morning view

Ths picture speaks for itself!



My boys making mischief at the Creek
We celebrated the 4th of July for about 3 days!  Sunday night, we went to watch the big fireworks display out at Cross Church in Rogers.  They did a very nice job!  We enjoyed it very much!  As excited as I am for our big move, I do love our country and am proud to be an American!  Monday, we went to Creekside Campground and played in the creek and shot fireworks.  Perfect day for the 12 year old boy!  He and another boy he met caught crawdads as big as your fist all afternoon long!   On Tuesday, we had our Bon Voyage – Farm Style party out at Rick’s folk’s farm.  Rick parents, siblings and their families, along with most of our kids and grandkids were there.  We soaked up the sun in the pool, enjoyed our beautiful grandbabies and had good food and conversation with The Thexton’s.
G'ma and G'pa and all the G'kids!

Papa, Naomi and Tully

Bailey cheez-ing it up!

So, play time is over and it is time to get things done!  Today, we moved several pieces of furniture into storage.  Our mattresses are on the floor and our clothes are in suitcases or storage containers!  Tomorrow we are packing up the kitchen and loading the truck with several things to take up to the farm.  Friday, I head to Memphis for the Lausanne Laptop Institute.  I finally get to meet some of my new friends, who are also new hires at ASB!  I come home Tuesday and I am SURE that Rick and Tully will have accomplished a great deal while I am away!
My attempt at being organized


Tully turns 12 on July 15.  We will drive to Kansas that night (with a pit stop in Pittsburg for some Chicken Annie’s!)  to celebrate Rick’s grandma’s 92nd birthday on Saturday with the entire Thexton clan!  By the time we get home, we will have 9 days!   I still need to say good-byes to my side of the family and some of my closest teacher friends.  (I recognize that I am avoiding good-byes!)  Insert ticking clock here!

I told Rick’s brother, John, who has his doctorate in pastoral theology that I am excited, but stressed about all there is still to do.  He asked if my stress would diminish once the “list” was all checked off.  Honestly, I’m not sure how to answer that one.  I love new adventures and am not afraid of stepping out of my comfort zone.  There is so much unknown ahead…new and in a new culture.  I am praying for peace as embark on this adventure and that I will embrace the newness and find joy in living our dream!