a name for a brand of fruit juice here. Come guys…do some research before you go doing stuff like this...

See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil

A magical place in the middle of the city

Nothing says a good day off like driving an auto.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

 "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop to look around every once in awhile, you could miss it" Ferris Bueller.

I did something I rarely do anymore. I took the weekend off and went exploring. A few friends of mine went up to a tibetian colony for the day. We had yummy food and explored a new neighborhood.

 

 

 

 This is some sort of puffy dough thing.

 

A Nice Day

Like always, if these pictures are good…I didn't personally take them. This was a nice day in a village so I just thought I would share

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water

I have never worried about water before. Until living here. I can do without electricity but water...well, we need it. And it makes me feel anxious when I don't have it. Normally, it eventually comes. But there is a big water problem in my building. And people are starting to get restless. I got my pump fixed but then I was asked to please not turn it on. Which is ok for awhile...but that means that I don't have access to water. This morning, when I found my tank still empty...I stood up on my roof and tried to figure out what to do. You know they say that true character comes out when people get pressed. So, my initial response was... to be a jerk. I need water for crying out loud. I have a 'right' don't I?? The things inside our hearts are so ugly. That's my true character- to be a jerk. And that is a SIN that separated me from God - not just an annoying personality trait that I can laugh off.... And I really believe that I am going without water so that the Lord could show me that. (and honestly, at the touch of a button I could get out of this situation)

I took a few deep breaths, walked down the stairs and met with my neighbor. "Are you taking tension?". she asked (this is their version of- are you upset"?)

I smiled and said "well, I would eventually like water". We went on to talk about her plants and her job and her life. She ended the conversation saying something very sad and revealing under her breath. "here...we live life by trickery". If I would have been a jerk to her--what would that have proven? Why do we want to make ourselves feel big so that others will feel small? So yea, I could have been mad. But, how sad is that- to know that you have to life live by trickery and deceit? When I am living life underneath the shadow of the cross. Why am I living as a child who has no hope? In my sin- I would have been a jerk and made her life even more sad. But in His grace- I can wish her a good day. So, yes, I can I do without water. Because really- He IS the Water. Because really- He tells us to not worry about tomorrow. And so I won't.

The Crazy Just Doesn't Make Sense

So many crazy things happen around here that I don't bother mentioning. Because, really, the crazy just all blends in there together and I forget most of it anyway

I think a lot about the people from the 'days of yore'..... and I wonder how they survived.. But the truth is...a lot of them went crazy, died or burned out quickly. They were only human and made mistakes too so I really shouldn't compare. So I find myself trying to be thankful for what He has given me. The very fact that I even HAVE running water is a blessing in itself. But some days....the crazy just doesn't make sense to me.

Last night, my water ran out. This is a common problem so I just fell asleep. "Water will come in the morning" I thought.

Well, early this morning, I wake up...no water. So I go downstairs to turn the pump on. And this is what the wires look like. This is why I am a little SCARED to turn my pump on. Because yes,YES, those are indeed live wires being connected directly into electrical sockets. Somehow, I manage to get the pump turned on. But still...no water....

After a few hours of waiting and wondering...a neighbor finally fesses up and says...
well...somebody cut your wires.

WHY?

"Well, because your socket caught on fire. So, we had to cut your wires"

AND NOBODY TOLD ME?? I asked
(nobody thought..gee golly...she won't have access to water now...)

"Well...no..". my neighbor answers as he looks at me like I am stupid.

(Me (totally in my head): Ok, I am showing you love right now by not punching you in the face- thanks H for your funny quote)

Me: (out loud) "Ok well...thank you for telling me". I say with a plastered -kindly- but -obviously- fake smile.

(Me (in my head again) :just breath..just breath
And as a disclaimer: I really do have good neighbors. They honestly mean well. But its as if we speak two different languages...oh wait...

So, even if the water doesn't come in the morning...I know that His mercies always do. And I know that I should never act on my impulse to punch someone in the face. :)

Excuse ME? You do NOT have Cirrhosis..

A sad but funny situation happened this week. Yesterday, I noticed that my driver was really upset when he picked me up. Whats wrong? I asked.

"Oh...the doctor says my daughter has Cirrhosis...this is very serious....oh what am I going to do??? He fretted.

"Cirrhosis, are you SURE"?? I answered. (Cirrhosis is end stage liver disease found in alchoholics or people have some sort of condition or disease affecting their liver- but who knows how to explain that in Hindi???)

Yes yes, its Cirrhosis...this is bad....

"Ok, well bring her over tomorrow". I told him

This morning, his sweet daugther came bouncing through my door...perfectly healthy. I asked about her symptoms

The doctor says I have the beginning stages of Cirrhosis...she explained to me.

I usually don't talk this directly to people but I said "Look...the doctor is wrong" And then I showed her pictures of people who have Cirrhosis on the Internet.

We talked some more about her symptoms. I found out that the doctor had made a diagnosis before running any kind of tests.

It finally dawned on me...."Oh...could you have PSORIASIS?? I asked. (psoriasis is a common skin disease that causes reddness and irritation) The two disesase do sound very similar to one another

"Uh...I think thats what the doctor meant", I told her

Then she dumps all of her medicine out on the table. The doctor has given her like 20 different creams, lotions, anti- anxiety medication and of course the ever popular antibiotic. She goes onto explain "the doctor says I have a lot of tension in my life because I am not married, thats why I have this disease..."
(this is the sad part)
"Oh, sweet girl...that doctor is WRONG." I told her for the second time. "Just look at MY skin! And I have been single longer than YOU". :)

The stress melted off of her face and the beginning of a smile crept onto her lips.

I knew that there was no way I could undo years of cultural conditioning. But I COULD tell her the truth in that moment. I went on to explain the disease process, how our bodies work...yes stress can cause alot of things but also, it could just be that her body was predisposioned for skin problems- no matter her marital status. Yes, psoriasis is annoying but can be treated with medication and diet.

I went on to tell her the things she should eat and I told her to stop using most of the medicines the doctor had given her. I asked her if she had anxiety attacks. She kinda gave me a blank stare. Again...how to explain anxiety attacks in Hindi?? So...I acted it out for her.

"Uh? Do you mean demon possesion"?? she asked
"Well...no never mind.... "

We ended the visit with coffee and her checking her facebook. She gave me a hug as she walked out the door with a bounce in her step. Even thoughI know I can't win the war...at least I know one battle has been won.