So ever since I was little, I had a fear of mice. I always thought it was a pretty irrational fear until today, when I was attacked by a mouse! The little guy ran up on me when I was very unassumingly doing my work. It clawed its little feet in me and pressed its nasty fur against my skin. Not ok! My body had an instinctive reaction that has caused much laughter here in the office; I squealed, my foot started shaking uncontrollably, and then when I finally got it off my body decided it best to let tears flow...hmm. Well, I'm a little shaken, but ok. I'm trying to keep my mind of it, because otherwise the sensation of him being on my foot keeps coming back. From here on out, my feet are staying elevated onto the table legs. Why do Indians have to have it customary that you don't wear shoes indoors????
-Your CV (aka resident afraidy cat)
Lauren
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
The Milking of the Cow!
Wow. What to say about this one? My technique is horrible- feel free to comment. Regardless, it was a great time, and something I will always remember. Thanks to all the kids from Navram Society for a great Sunday, and teaching me how to play sattodiya and cricket! It was a great weekend, and reminded me a lot of the block games we used to play as "The Noyes Street Kids!" Small world.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Indians are Locavores
I am a big proponent for organic food. It's the best way to do good to our planet and health. That being said, I'm MORE of a proponent of locally sourced food. Having a relationship between farmer and eater is one of the most powerful relationships mankind can have, and it is important to retain those relationships where it exists, and form them where they do not.
In my time here in the little city of Dahod, an old-fashioned town that has many villages (which are filled with farmers) surrounding it, I have found that the Indians here don't realize how good they have it. Every morning, they go out and buy the vegetables, fruits, and grain that they need to use for the day, and they go back and prepare the food from scratch. They only buy what they need, and their food is without a doubt fresh- picked within 24 hours. The transportation of the food is within 25 miles, and may have been done by ox and wagon. The farmer sells directly to the eater, and everyone in Dahod is aware of the environmental effects of development because they see it in their food. Whether or not they link it to the ever-so desirable western lifestyle they are picking up is another question.
When I talk about the way food is treated in America, it is impossible to feel proud about it. No biodiversity, crazy portion sizes, lack of community in eating, processed production, grown in a different hemisphere, marketed to my mind not my body...the list goes on. Some times simpler is better, and this is a perfect example.
The one complaints my co-workers have of their food is that it is increasingly grown with chemical fertilizers, which they know is bad. The pressures of higher yields have seeped into this water deprived region, and without education on the dangers, will likely escalate. What they fail to realize, probably because they take it for granted, is that keeping the farmers within proximity is more important. Once they move to the cities the fresh food and culture will be lost.
This comes back to why the work at SAHAJ is so important. It finds a way for the traditions of the past to be bridge with market opportunities and to have value in the world. For now, local food is here to stay in Dahod, and when I visit in 50 years, I really hope it's the same story.
-Your CV
Lauren
In my time here in the little city of Dahod, an old-fashioned town that has many villages (which are filled with farmers) surrounding it, I have found that the Indians here don't realize how good they have it. Every morning, they go out and buy the vegetables, fruits, and grain that they need to use for the day, and they go back and prepare the food from scratch. They only buy what they need, and their food is without a doubt fresh- picked within 24 hours. The transportation of the food is within 25 miles, and may have been done by ox and wagon. The farmer sells directly to the eater, and everyone in Dahod is aware of the environmental effects of development because they see it in their food. Whether or not they link it to the ever-so desirable western lifestyle they are picking up is another question.
When I talk about the way food is treated in America, it is impossible to feel proud about it. No biodiversity, crazy portion sizes, lack of community in eating, processed production, grown in a different hemisphere, marketed to my mind not my body...the list goes on. Some times simpler is better, and this is a perfect example.
The one complaints my co-workers have of their food is that it is increasingly grown with chemical fertilizers, which they know is bad. The pressures of higher yields have seeped into this water deprived region, and without education on the dangers, will likely escalate. What they fail to realize, probably because they take it for granted, is that keeping the farmers within proximity is more important. Once they move to the cities the fresh food and culture will be lost.
This comes back to why the work at SAHAJ is so important. It finds a way for the traditions of the past to be bridge with market opportunities and to have value in the world. For now, local food is here to stay in Dahod, and when I visit in 50 years, I really hope it's the same story.
-Your CV
Lauren
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
60 hr work weeks
So it has been awhile since I've last written. I realize that since I teach English every morning, I'm at the office 60 hrs a week. That is a lot of time! When I do get back home, I am so exhausted that I read for a little bit, go for a walk with my roommate, and then totally crash. I'm hoping that this experience will help me transition to U.S. work hours where 50 hours a week is impressive.
On another note, lately I've been reading a lot about social media. I was thinking that a lot of students my age are well versed in using it in their personal life, but have not crossed over into using it as a professional tool yet. It's such an effective tool, that I think we are crazy not to leverage it, especially because it comes a little more natural to us than older generations. In the coming months, I am going to try to cross over and use it as a way to network, be in-on industry conversations, and brand myself professionally. Its such a powerful tool the way it closes all geographical boundaries. The fact that I am in India, with some time on my hands, may allow me to get into the swing of things before the normal chaos of being a college student takes over again.
Till next time!
-Your CV
Lauren
On another note, lately I've been reading a lot about social media. I was thinking that a lot of students my age are well versed in using it in their personal life, but have not crossed over into using it as a professional tool yet. It's such an effective tool, that I think we are crazy not to leverage it, especially because it comes a little more natural to us than older generations. In the coming months, I am going to try to cross over and use it as a way to network, be in-on industry conversations, and brand myself professionally. Its such a powerful tool the way it closes all geographical boundaries. The fact that I am in India, with some time on my hands, may allow me to get into the swing of things before the normal chaos of being a college student takes over again.
Till next time!
-Your CV
Lauren
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Wearing a Sari!
So, today was my first time wearing a sari. It is very fun, and I feel very elegant. Wearing traditional Indian dress helps me get in the mindset of an India; its like a costume. Riding on the scooter was interesting because I had to sit sideways. I didn't fall off, so I am very happy. It should be very interesting to try to do yoga in it. Wish me luck.
Your CV,
Lauren
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