Month One and the Like...

So, I had my first Indian massage today....wow, a little different than I am used to. In America, you are draped with a sheet/towel, something...not here....In America, some areas are "off limits"....not here. Geez....It was pretty much two young girls, a bowl of warm olive oil and this wooden table ( not sure what kind of wood, but smelled amazing)...and just check any bodily insecurities at the door. Ok, so enough about that....TMI, I know.
Last night, I was invited to spend the evening with Shanthala's HUM group, an amazing group of women who meet monthly and discuss books, music, or share some sort of cultural theme. The theme they shared with me was all about Ganesha. Each person was asked to share some music or a story about Ganesha and his role/importance in India. I learned a lot more about this revered God and was showered with lovely gifts reflecting the night's theme. I now have all the tools I need to have a "home altar" of my own, including kum kum! The food was awesome. I say that a lot, I know, but, so true. The appetizer was a glass of, get this, freshly squeezed white roses. No really, rose extract solely. I can't help but wonder how many roses it took to make a glass?? As I was drinking it, I kept thinking, I know this smell....sure enough, I did. The rose extract was brought from the northern state of Rajasthan. Such a treat.
In all, it has been a month since I left Columbus for India. When I arrived, I thought time would never pass, and now it is going too quickly. I have so much I still want to see/do. At this point, my life has a sense of routine here. I am thankful for the gym, where I feel so at home, and for the trainers who are keeping this amazing food from "sticking around!" I am thoroughly enjoying the lectures and the students. The students at Somaiya college are wonderfully intelligent, polite and are sooooo focused on their own success. They are teaching me far more than I am teaching them, I am certain. I am thankful for my mentors, who are no longer mentors, but close friends. Renu and Savita make each day so easy, and FUN! And yes, I will return when the first of Renu's children is married. I am not missing an Indian wedding, no way! I am also thankful for the wonderful friends that Shanthala has "organized" for me to make my stay full of adventure and wonderful activities. There are things I miss about home, sure, but in the grand scheme of things they are the simple conveniences that we all take for granted. There will be time enough for those later. The things I am getting used to however, are endless....I haven't done laundry, cleaned, ironed, cooked, had to drive anywhere (though I miss that a little), set an alarm clock, or even carried my own groceries to the door in a month. Heck, I barely even work!!! It is amazing when you take the day to day "stuff" out of life, how much time you have for yourself! Needless to say, I am well-rested! With that said, I have a lot to look forward to still in the next three months. Andrea and I have our travel plans set for heading north during late October. We will start in Jaipur, Rajasthan and end in the hill station of Darjeeling. I am excited to see the north of India, from the desert to the Himalayans. My asst. principal, Sharon, is coming for a visit in mid-October (the 15th), and she will be here for 10 days. I plan to take her to southern India. She said she is coming to see if India really does change a person. She asked me had I changed?? I said, I am not sure how much you will change in 10 days, but I have changed thus far in the sense that I now know there is nothing I can't do alone! Amen!