Aug 15, 2010 9:15 AM

Indian Independence Day Celebration!

Yoga Line Production at Garbada CFC

Hello again. This video introduces the Garbada Community Facility Center and my excitement while working on the Sahaj Fair Trade Yoga line. This is the very beginning of product development- more photos to come. Working directly with the artisans and being in the scenic Indian countryside is an amazing feeling. Communicating across language barriers is sometimes tricky for getting the products specs right, but I am finding that once you come across as an enthusiastic person who appreciates the work they are doing, everything gets easier from there.

Your CV,
Lauren

Stitches!

So last night I went to the hospital for the second time while I've been here in India. This time I got stitches from a little accident on my commute home from work. I'm fine, and in this video I recount the events. It is obvious the adrenaline of the situation is still running through me! Haha

Cooking Lesson

Indian Lingo

Wow, where to begin? It's been awhile since I've last written and so much has happened. From going to the hospital because of food contamination to visiting my friend Dharmishta's house and village to learning how to roll a round chipatti at my co-worker's Shilpa's house, I've done so much and had a lot to think about. So much so, that I couldn't bring myself to finalize any thoughts and document them in the blog.

One thing I can note is a couple of phrases that Indians use in English that I find very interesting.
1. Expire- no, when they talk about expiration they aren't talking about cheese or other food products, they are talking about people. For instance, "dada has been expired for seven years now." When I heard that, I was definitely taken aback.
2. The "S" Word- used by small children and adults alike, the "s" word is used very casually in conversation. Because I consider it profanity, I'm always surprised when the five year old next to me says it while we are playing a board game. They use it like I would use "shucks, darn, rats, or shoot".
3. Britishers- when refering to the people that occupied and ruled their land, they call them Britishers, not the British, as I know them to be. Very interesting.

Ok, this is just the beginning of the list. More will come in the future.

Mouse Attack!

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

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.