Rain drops are falling on my head....

So, it's raining here without a hint that its going to stop in the near future. I think that the rainy season is going out like a lion this year, so I'm prepping for flooding. Extra food stocked up with water bottles full to the brim and waiting for days that we won't go outside at all. It isn't helping the mildew problem, but I know that the sun will come out to play one day in the near future. Or at least I hope it does.

New Roomie Aliza is dealing well with the rain, so that is a good thing. I think that she is getting bored, but that is just part of living in the 'Desh during the rainy season or really any season for that matter. As an only child, I can pretty much entertain myself to a large extent. Only after living here can I honestly say that I have felt boredom. This only happens when your house is clean (or as clean as your going to get it), the laundry is done, there is nothing to cook and you've read every single book in the house, including the Bible and dictionary, you have nothing to write in your diary and you're not tired enough to take a nap again.

OK, campers, enjoy being hot and dry and entertained. Take care.

life and going to hell in the handbasket

You know... some days its really not worth getting out of bed. It's been like that for a week or actually closer to a month. It's really upped my cookie consumption.

*Found out that Friend Princess Megan has Hodgkins a week before her wedding. She's doing good and really positive, so a big yeah for her! She's made promises of pics of the new pre-chemo hair-do, so I'm looking forward to this. This, of course, will go next to her wedding pics that shows the world that she is super-shundor (beautiful).

*On the 22nd of July, my Honey Rana's middle sister Lata had an emergency C-section and gave birth to Nosim Sama who has spina bifida (of the two forms, the bad one). It's questionable if she will survive. This is what you get in the thirld world... prenatal care that sucks if you can even get any. And if she does survive to adulthood, she'll have survived not only her disability, but also a culture that is not open to such things (most people who have any physical/mental disabilities are either locked away or are beggars).

*Then on the 2nd of August, my dad's younger brother, Uncle Fred, had a heart attack and died about 12 hours later. He was 8 days short of his 54th birthday. I can't hardly imagine what the rest of my family is going through. Today is the viewing and tomorrow is the funeral. Please keep his wife, kids, grandkids, mom and other assorted family members in your thoughts and prayers.

*On top of all this, I really don't like my job currently. Small potatoes in the great scheme of things, I know, but I spend 40+ hours a week doing it, so that's a chunck of time I'm doing something I don't like. Not cool, so I'm going to do something about it. As soon as I have a plan. Glitch. (Shhh... don't tell Mom, she gets upset when she thinks that I might, potentially, be unemployed!)

So, campers, count your blessings one by one. Until I can see through the fog, it's cookie time for me. Ugh... my ass is going to be so huge, it's not going to be funny.

where in the world?

Aloha friends and family. I've been not busy at work or play, so not alot to report on as of late. For those concerned, I'm not near the flooding in South Asia. Its happening in Mumbai (Bombay) and that's around 1,000 KM away from me the other side of India. As you can see, I'm neighbors with Myanmar (Burma), Bhutan and Nepal and surrounded almost completely by India. To the north of Bangladesh is the Indian states of Assam and Darjeeling, where the most expensive tea in the world is grown. Bangladesh also grows a medium grade tea in Sylhet, but it's not at a high enough altitude to grow the really good stuff. However, Rajshahi (where I was posted as a PCV) grows some of the best mangoes in the world. That also goes across the border into India and the Malta Mango.
Well, folks, that's your geography lesson for today. Hope this clears up where in the world I am. And for the pre-'71 grads, Bangladesh was East Pakistan from '48-'71 and India's state of East Bengal pre-'48. That is why Kolkutta (Calcutta) is in the state of West Bengal and it has no East counterpart. Confusing? You bet. But if you're in the neighborhood, just swing on by! Houseguests are considered a gift from Allah in Muslim households, so that means you always can get a snack and tea at least 85% of the time here. Thank goodness for that or I would have starved in Rajshahi!!!

birthday girl

Yeah for me. I'm officially 28 and it was a good birthday. After work, I met up with Roommie Carrie and New Roommie Aliza and went to the American Club for dinner. We met up TronBhai and his Bo Miranda and Walzak. Yep, you guessed it... former PC meeting for a drink at the pub. Carrie brought a chocolate cake and my cake was aflame with all 28 candles! My Honey Rana couldn't be here for the day, but that couldn't be helped, so it wasn't perfect. Otherwise, it was a good day. The folks even called from America on my mobile, so I got a parental blessing on the day, to boot.

wedding sari picture

So this is the promised sari picture, courtesy of Roomie Carrie. As you can tell, it is heavy gorgeous and just plain HEAVY!!! The sucker must of weighed 20 pounds. I needed help to get into a standing position. Somehow, I just don't think this 63, 000 taka (1,000 USD) sari will be bought by me anytime in the future. But it's fun to look! I still need to go to Mirpur 11 and look at the wide variety of wedding sari shops that the neighborhood is renown for. I'll keep you all in the loop when that happens. Have fun! ~Laura

pearls

Harry has been read. I won't ruin the end for others, but it is a sadder ending than I anticipated. It was a very tall book, but a quick read. That's the bonus of reading a kids book. However, onward... Roomie Carrie and I are going pearl shopping for Cousin Danielle this evening. Cousin Danielle is getting married Sept. 2006, but she likes planning ahead. So, we're off to buy 14 sets of necklace/earring sets. I just hope that she likes them all. Fingers crossed. Luckily for me, pearls are cheap here and are a continuous fav at home. yeah for me! If there are any 'orders' for pearls from family and friends, just email me and for a small, nominal fee, a lovely set of pearls can be yours.

my inner child is at the bookstore...

Aloha All! Life is very calm as of late and I'm enjoying the leisure time to pursue reading. I'm darn happy that the newest Harry Potter came out and to celebrate, I bought a copy yesterday (I let the kids have the first day) and have knocked down a few chapters already. The only glitch is that I'm having a hard time remembering the last book in detail. It's hard getting older - the memory isn't the same. My mom recently told me, "Laura, don't grow old. It's a b*tch.". Shock me to no end to hear that flying out of her mouth, but I'm sure she meant it in the best possible way.... :D So, if you don't hear from me in the near future, please know it's not from lack of love, but I've got a few hundred pages to go and so little time...

wedding sari shopping

Wedding sari shopping is really a different experience! As normal, I looked at a bajillion saris and didn't pick one. However, not like normal, I about had a canary when I heard the price. Between 60 to 63 THOUSAND taka for 1 sari. In US dollars, that's about a thousand bucks. While some would consider that a bargain price for a heavily beaded sari with satin petticoat and a large dupatta (scarf-like thing), I think that I will keep looking. My roommate Carrie went along with me on this adventure. I'll try to get a photo of me in this get-up. It took two guys to rig it and the one guy 'stylized' me. He had me looking down, like a shy, sweet, young 'Deshi bride. Too bad that isn't going to happen in real life!

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July! While it's not quite the same being abroad during national holidays, I still enjoy thinking back to when I was younger and being on a boat out on the water during the fireworks. You don't know where to look ~ in the sky or the reflection on the water. Enjoy the holiday fully and take care getting home. ~Laura

The rainy season is here!

Yeah! I am so happy that the monsoon has burst into action and there is rain and more rain in the foreseeable future! Yes, I had to wade through water this morning to get to a CNG on my way to work, but it's cool out! Yeah!!!! It great weather to stay in bed and read fluffer novels. Or even, non-fluffers. Just to lay about and read. Also, all of the 'Deshi ladies are cooking kitchori, which is my favorite! It's rice and dhal cooked together with spices and tons of tumeric, so your hand is yellow after eating. With a nice hard-boiled egg that's been fried in coconut milk, is really the best. Yummmm! Just make sure that everything is aired out and if it's cotton, then send it to the ironing shop to be pressed. Enjoy this late start to the monsoon. ~Laura