Why India?: November 2011

Friday, November 25, 2011

Just Doin’ the Needful

To sum up what I have been up to lately, I would simply say I have been doing the needful (a common Indian phrase). Finals week has kept me busy with writing papers, preparing for presentations, and studying for exams. I got sick for a few days, so that put a damper on things, but now I am good to go. I wanted to experience EVERYTHING I could here and the hospital was definitely an experience. It cost just over $4 for everything, the visit and 4 prescriptions.

Along with school work I have been trying to wrap up my time here in Coimbatore. Little things like giving last minute fabric to the tailor and spending time with people I will miss is what I have been up to. On December 2nd we leave for 2 weeks of travel in the north. Some of the places we are going include, Calcutta, Varanasi Jaipur, Agra, then we end in New Delhi. I am so excited to see other places in India! Although they don’t have dosa in the north, so that is sad. Then on December 17th at 8:10 PM I will be home sweet home! Yay!

Here are some pictures of the meal we made for our final exam in cooking class.

Tawa Paratha. Kasmiri Pulao. Butter Chicken Masala. Paneer Mutter Masala

And can't forget the dessert!

The cooking crew

Sunday, November 13, 2011

A Lesson from a Mosquito

Ok first of all you all probably know how much strongly dislike mosquitos, like a lot. I especially don’t like the ones here. First of all, they are sneaky. They only have to land on you for like half of a second and you get bit. Seriously, today I was keeping a close eye on one. As soon as it landed I tried to kill it and if flew off. He barely even landed on me and I got a bite. The second reason mosquitos suck more than usual here is some of them hurt when/after they bite. So along with the constant itch of the bites it feels like you are being stabbed with little needles.

Alright back to the point of this blog. Let me recap a typical night for you. I am laying in bed trying to fall asleep. I am extremely exhausted , but have trouble sleeping at night because India just does that to a person. Each night this stupid, annoying mosquito buzzes in my ear. I wave my hand near my ear to get it to go away. The buzzing stops for a bit, then it returns. After frantically waving my hand, whipping my sheets, and trying to hit it in the dark with my pillow, you would think the mosquito would get the hint that I want it to GO AWAY, or at the very least be quiet. This mosquito has returned every night for the past couple weeks. And yes I am sure it is that same mosquito, it has a distinct buzz.

The other day I was laying in bed when the mosquito once again returned to buzz in my ear. Instead of getting angry this time I just laughed. I was reminded of how God is kind of like that mosquito. I can fight His presence, not listen to His voice (or in this analogy, buzz), but He will always be there loving me all the same.
So now every night when I hear that mosquito, I thank God for never leaving my side. No matter how many times I ignore Him or try to make Him away because I think I can do it on my own He never leaves.

So thank you mosquito for the lesson, but you are not God. Not even close, so if you could leave for good and stop buzzing in my ear, I would greatly appreciate it.
This week I would encourage you to find God in every part of your day. Let Him in on every thought, every fear, every joy, because the truth is, He is a part of everything whether you chose to acknowledge His presence or not.

“Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.”
Psalm 73:23-24

Update:

The final weeks here in Coimbatore are coming to a close. I have been busy preparing for the papers, presentations and exams that are all due the last week of November. Along with schoolwork I am trying to make the most of my time left here. I cannot believe in less than three weeks we will be leaving for two weeks of travel in the north. Crazy how fast time flew by!