Jedcherla

 Jedcherla is the first rural city I have seen since comeing to India. It is the village where my boss' family lives and his family was nice enough to invite us over for the day. We left at around 1 in the afternoon with Manisha and Arnab. The drive to the village is a little over an hour. It was a breath of fresh air to get out of the busy city and actually see land. Rice fields were endless along the road. The roads were empty compared to the 24/7 traffic jam that fills up the city. All of us sat in quiet for the most part just taking it all in. Seeing people live their daily lives in the fields brought on feelings of simple pleasure and sadness but amazing all the same.
 About a mile before reaching the house of the Jedcherla's we saw camels and their owners walking along the side of the road. I thought it was cool just to see them. Our amazing driver, Ravi, new about my love for camels and pulled over for me to get out. He talked to the riders to see if I could go for a little ride. They  negotiated a price and next a latter was hanging on the side of the camel waiting for us to climb on.
 Manisha told me seconds before I was about to ride that camels actually have some nasty tempers on them. They bite you, spit and are just plain mean. I panicked at first thinking this was eat. Death by Camel! But then when I saw how gentle they were when Stephen climbed up I once again felt my love for these creatures and climbed up. It was awesome! I never realized how tall some camels could get and this one was tall!
 After arriving at the house I met Srikanth's very friendly family. They invited us in and quickly served us coffee and cookies. We looked at pictures of the family and were told where each one resides and the profession they took. While in the house it started to pour outside. We entertained our selves by each taking a turn in a swinging chair that hung in the living room. I think every home should have one of these. Remember the baby chairs that had the two holes where the legs could go letting the baby be able to jump up and down? Think that but without the holes!
 After the rain stopped, Mr. Jadcherla took us around the village and to the market place. First he showed us around his yard and gave me a twig of "Snake Repellent." I have no idea if this is an urban myth but the twig of plant he gave me somehow keeps snakes at bay. I am going to make a few orders of this plant and have them put up all around the house.

 The village felt more like a movie set. It took a while for me to actually believe that most people do not go home to a furnished home. The brightly colored costumes that they wore turned out to not be costumes at all. In fact, a lot of thought goes in to why traditional tribal women dress the way they do. The mirrors on their clothes are to reflect light to keep predators away. Women where heavy anklets that make sound to scare snakes away. Hard shell like bangles are worn all the way up their arms to protect them should a tiger attack and bit their arm. The same is true for the shell necklace worn around the neck.
 Children followed us around the market hoping for us to hand out money. When they grew impatient they tried to force their hands into our pockets. I was told not to hand out money for a few reasons. The first is if I do a mob will more than likely occur and they will grab you and hold you down wanting more money. The second is, children especially usually never get or keep the money. They work for a gang and must give whoever the lead is all the money keeping the children poor. Think Slum Dog Millionaire where the man purposely blinded that boy to get more money. That is real and it is common.
 The drive back was peaceful. We stopped at a little food stop off the side of the road. We ordered coffee, sat back and enjoyed the company on one another. The food smelled amazing but I did not dare order any food. For foreigners the most amazing smelling, authentic food is contaminated.

I became my own worst enemy

 I never thought it would happen! I cant believe it has happened! Today something changed in me. I became my own worst enemy! I remember when I was in middle school and teachers would talk to me and my fellow classmates as if we were children. Oh how my blood would boil and my hands would shake. I am not a child so don't you dare talk to me like one!
 Looking back I see that yes I was a child and all of us in that classroom needed to be spoken to in such a way. But today I was that teacher! After weeks of Kevin, Stephen, Cheryl and I repeating the same thing over and over again and seeing that these MS students of engineering were still making the same mistakes we had corrected them on time and time again I just snapped! I noticed the major problem was that since the beginning these students do not take notes. I marched up to the front of the class and told everyone to hold either a pen or pencil in their hand and raise it up. I watched as some students had to leave there seats to find someone with an extra writing utensil. Who comes to college without a pen? Then I told them to hold up paper in their other hand. Again I waited till I saw all 54 students with both hands up in the air. I directed them on how to place the paper down in front of them and hold the pen and to get ready to write down every word I said.
 I spent the next few minutes repeating myself of the same exact stuff I said two weeks ago. At the very end I made them write that they promise to follow everything that was said and to not make the same mistakes anymore. Then I had them sign it as if it were a legal contract.
 I feel ashamed almost. I was a kid when a teacher treated us like this. Here we have smart engineers who are just not taking the english part seriously. Will I look back years from now and feel comforted thinking that yes they were kids? Just how I had to look back at myself as a kid when I was in middle school? Did you ever have a teacher who treated you like that? What was your reaction? Will I have students resenting me?
 I am my own worst enemy.

Happy Diwali!

 Sorry I have not posted in a while. I had a cold a while back which put me under for a few days and then shortly after I had food poisoning that again put me a little under the weather. After that i must have forgotten that I keep a blog! A big shout out to Mike for reminding me of my duties to my faithful followers!
 Today is Diwali! If I understood correctly it is the day when India got their independence from England! Oh how we Americans can relate, eh? To any foreign traveler who may not understand what is going on, they may wonder if a war has broken out across the entire country. Why? Oh well you can actually buy bombs from street vendors for this happy occasion! Outside my window right now I hear them going off every second. It sounds like I have landed in an actual "Call of Duty" session.
 Fireworks are sold too. You can buy sparklers of course but how boring when you can buy the giant professional looking fireworks for only 1000 rupees! 20 bucks in American Lingo. No one goes to a freshly grass cut park here to watch these giant fireworks go off. They do them right in their front yard and shame on you if you are dumb enough to get hurt! There is some logic there that I like.
 The smoke is thick and soon we wont be able to see any cars passing by. Oh and silly us for having our 4th of July for only 1 day out of the year. India celebrates it right by going an entire three days of celebrating! So hats off guys and girls! Earplugs in! It's Diwali time so light them bombs up!
 Kevin, Stephen and I just lit all the fireworks and bombs we had. The neighbor kids came with us and the smile and laughs on their faces were hilarious! The two girls kept laughing at me as I ran away and plugged my ears every time a bomb was lit. I watched in amazement as they were laughing at me thinking I was silly! They are standing next to a bomb! Ok not the bombs that dropped over Baghdad of course, but bombs that could easily take a hand or a foot should you get close enough. But chaos does rule India it seems so it only seems appropriate to stand next to a small bomb.
 So here is my update! I am still alive and I hope to still be after this three day Holiday! Not wanting to miss out on more fun playing with explosives I am going to say goodbye and I promise to write more!

American Dining vs Indian Dining

 After eating out a few times already, I have noticed some very distinct differences with the food service between India and America. Back home when I walk into a restaurant, I am usually visually stimulated by the colorful walls, distinct lighting and the hustle and bustle of the staff. After being seated at a table that is so close to another groups table, I am usually served bread and water and then the waiting begins. When a waitress finally comes to the table, I am given a forced smile, quick responses and, God help me if I ask to modify the dish because that means some added time with me and my server. I am usually left with a full but un satisfied stomach and only remembering the bright colors that blinded me upon first entering the place.
 Indian dining is not quite the same. Walls are not brightly colored with tripped out acid designs. The lighting is simple lighting and the waiters are calm and relaxed with a wonderful smile that says, "welcome." Here when I order water, I ask for bottled water. The waiters quickly come with a liter bottle and before setting it down on the table, they open it and serve you the water in a glass. The water serving does not end there. Before I even get a chance to finish my glass, the waiter walks over calmly, picks up the bottle and serves me again. Every time I say thank you there response is, "My pleasure Ma'm." Imagine your waiter saying that to you in a busy Cheesecake Factory restaurant!
 The same concept is true with the food. My food is served, I eat the food, and the waiter comes to serve me more! When I leave the restaurant, I am left feeling full, satisfied and happy with the pleasant service. Now, ok I have been to fancy restaurants back home in the States and yes, you do get good service. But I am talking about ANY food place you go here is filled with this kind of service. It is amazing how this service, no matter what place you are at, changes your entire dining experience.

Parikrama

 Last night Stephen, Kevin, Arnab and I went to go see an Indian rock band concert. The name of the band is called Parikrama. Arnab new the drummer of the band and so the three of us were able to go backstage for the concert. At one point we all went out in front to take pictures. When I was standing on the side taking pictures, Stephen pointed out to me that there was a group of guys taking pictures of me. I felt like a celebrity, and I liked it!
 Today Stephen, Kevin and I went out on our own for lunch. We went to an awesome restaurant just around the corner from where we are staying. The food was so delicious and so very very cheap! I had my first authentic chicken tikka masala. Man, it was some goooooood chiken! After lunch we walked around the area. Cars simply do not stop for people here. I thought for sure that I would get hit when trying to cross the street.
 Now it is on to editing some papers. I realized that since I am a technical writer, I too need to make sure that my grammar and punctuation is good. That means proof reading! So after this blog I will begin my proof reading. I cannot bother with it at the moment, our driver is on his way to pick us up!

Finally Here

 After having the longest day of my life on an airplane (24+ hours) Stephen, Kevin and I arrived safely in Hyderabad. The drive from the airport to the apartment we are currently staying at was very eye opening. Dog's rule the streets at night. They are everywhere! I am extremely motivated to adopt these cuties and help them find some loving homes.
 Driving rules simply do not exist here. Every one has right of way, Everyone speeds and everyone honks to let everyone else know they are trying to pass you. This system is so chaotic that it magically works. A few times I was convinced a car was going to hit us, or that we were going to run over a person, but no! At the last moment, every time, a near accident is avoided.
 Yesterday Stephen, Kevin and I went to the orientation for the school. We met the entire group that put this idea for a school into action. These are some of the smartest, nicest, and joyful people I have had the pleasure of meeting. Listening to the speeches made me feel very special to be a part of the educational advisors.
 Today, we held our first day of class. I met all my students and listened to each of them give speeches. After when it came time for me to critic, I tried my hardest to get their names right. All of my students were very helpful with trying to help me with the pronunciation, and laughed when I clearly did not get it.