The Cave

Song of the Day: "The Cave" by Mumford and Sons

I missed these guys when they came through at the end of October to Denver, but I surely won't next time. One of my favorite bands this fall (because that's when I first started listening). It's a great song, and the video will make you want to rent a scoot and drive along the beach!

But I will hold on hope
And I won't let you choke
On the noose around your neck

And I'll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I'll know my name as it's called again

Cause I have other things to fill my time
You take what is yours and I'll take mine
Now let me at the truth
Which will refresh my broken mind

Long Walk to Never

Song of the Day for Monday, November 8th, 2010: "Long Walk to Never" by Jaymay

Take a listen here.

Tonight I went to the screening of "happythankyoumoreplease" at the Denver Film Fest. I'd been looking forward to seeing this film ever since I discovered Jaymay did most of the soundtrack a month or so ago.

The music and the film did not disappoint. Set in New York, it follows three couples in their mid to late 20s/early 30s who are trying to figure things out with love and their relationships--though that may never be fully realized. After all, optimism is so fucking tiring (sorry, Don't Swear).

It hits on the fact that so many of us, no matter where we are at in life, don't feel ourselves worthy to be loved. This film, however, gives us that permission (and it also won the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Fest--we'll see how it fares here, but I wouldn't be surprised if it garners the same honor).

you say you want me but you never came to get me

you never got me, and I hope you don't haunt me

these dreams ever again

Persian Den of Sin

Song of the Day: "Persian Den of Sin" by Chris Sand AKA The Rappin' Cowboy

On Sunday I went to see the documentary "Roll Out Cowboy" about a rappin' cowboy from western North Dakota. The film was excellent, and not to mention The Sandman Rappin' Cowboy himself made an appearance and performed "Persian Den of Sin." I couldn't find that one online, but the trailer for the film is below. Totally and completely worth going to see if you are fortunate enough to have the chance!

What a Day

Song of the Day for Saturday, November 6: "What a Day" by Greg Laswell

Go ahead, give it a spin:

I've seen Greg Laswell perform twice this year, once in April at the Walnut Room in Denver with my friend Bridget, and then in Des Moines at the Mews on August 1st with my friend Tiff. Both of them trusted me enough to go to the show with me, and they both enjoyed it (though, they are probably not super fans like me).

Saturday he was playing at the venue near my house, The Bluebird, and I was on the list with a plus one. But I wasn't sure if I could make it, and ended up not, strangely enough, when he was literally in my backyard.

I also saw him--twice Saturday evening--once in my alley at around 5 p.m., and then again an hour later. For some reason, I didn't approach him and talk to him. Perhaps I am not the Super Fan I claim to be, but I didn't do it. And my friends are not sure why, and neither am I.

Maybe it's the fedora, maybe it's his beard, maybe it's that he incorporates Jim Beam in his lyrics, but I totally dig this dude's music, especially this song.

What a day to visit Seattle
What a day for San Francisco
What a day, holy Toledo
What a day to get in the air and go
What a day to give up smoking
What a day to have some Jim Beam
And what day to welcome a baby
to begin breathing

Dog Days Are Over

Song of the Day for Friday, November 5: "Dog Days Are Over" by Florence and the Machine

Take a listen:

Friday was a great day. This song is from one of my favorite bands I came across in 2010, Florence and the Machine. Seems like quite the match.

Happiness hit her like a bullet in the head

Struck from a great height by someone who should know better than that

The dog days are over

The dog days are done

Can you hear the horses?

Because here they come

Run fast for your mother, run fast for your father

Run for your children, for your sisters and brothers

Leave all your loving, your loving behind

You cant carry it with you if you want to survive

I'm So Paid

Song of the Day: "I'm So Paid" by Lil Wayne and Akon

Check it here.

Lil Wayne got out of jail today! This is for him, and because this song used to be my ring tone (naturally, because he and Akon sing it together). After all, even President Clinton wished Lil Weezy well.

Crazy Love

Song of the Day for Wednesday, November 3rd: "Crazy Love" by Van Morrison

Wednesday night the D-Town winos and I had a baby shower via Skype for our fellow Wino, Stacy, who now lives in Boston. Of all the new babies that have arrived this year, her baby is one of the few boys. I wasn't sure what Song of the Day would be best, so I Googled "songs about having a baby" and good 'ol Google generated a result for the 1988 movie "She's Having a Baby". One click to IMDB later, and wallah! This song was on the soundtrack. Seemed all too perfect, as that's just the love you need to bring a child into this crazy world.

I Will Follow You Into The Dark

Song of the Day: "I Will Follow You Into The Dark" by Death Cab for Cutie

My Arabic tutor's mom passed away yesterday after over a year battle with cancer, and a long-time close friend of my parents' passed away today after fighting ALS (Lou Gehrig's) Disease for four years.

Death Cab for Cutie isn't a favorite band of mine, but this song is beautiful.

Love of mine
Some day you will die
But I'll be close behind
I'll follow you into the dark

No blinding light
Or tunnels to gates of white
Just our hands clasped so tight
Waiting for the hint of a spark

If heaven and hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the no's on their vacancy signs
If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark

The Gambler

Song of the Day: "The Gambler" by fun.

Check it here. It's Number 9.

Yesterday I got some fantastic news from my dear friend Libby: her and her boyfriend Tom got engaged! As in, to be married! I'm ecstatic for them. Sometimes it amazes me, in this world, that two people can find each other who are a perfect fit. But they've done it, and it's awesome (and inspiring for those of us navigating the dating waters!)

I noticed today that Tom posted a link to this song on Lib's facebook (oh, technology age, I adore you). I haven't seen fun in person (yet) but I have heard that they are, well, fun! And this song is super sweet. If you dare, take a listen.

I swear when I grow up, I won't just buy you a rose.
I will buy the flower shop, and you will never be lonely.
Even if the sun stops waking up over the fields
I will not leave, I will not leave 'till it's our time.
So just take my hand, you know that I will never leave your side.

God's Gonna Cut You Down

Song of the day for Sunday, October 31st: "God's Gonna Cut You Down" by Johnny Cash

Check it here.

Yesterday, after a bit too much party on Halloween Eve, I went to the movies to see "Social Network" and "The Hereafter". Prior to the screening of "Social Network," the preview for "True Grit" aired, which is the latest effort from the Coen Brothers, and will star Jeff Bridges, Josh Brolin, and Matt Damon. During the preview, they played the Johnny Cash version of "God's Gonna Cut You Down" (and my fave version of the tune). It's also the song my favorite Rockies pitcher, Joe Beimel, walks out to before he takes the mound. Here's a photo of me meeting him on August 28th. Joe may have never called me after I gave him my business card, but it's still a great song.

Feel Good, Inc.

Song of the Day: Feel Good, Inc. by Gorillaz

In honor of the Denver Gorilla Run this morning, what's better than a little Gorillaz to start the day? Nothin'.

Song of the Day for Friday, October 29, 2010: Yesterday's Blues by Ryan Bingham

Find more artists like Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses at Myspace Music

I shook the hand of a weeping sparrow
And heard the most beautiful tune
Laid myself down upon a field of flowers
And searched through my dreams to find you
And lost all of yesterday’s blues.

Colorado

Song of the Day: "Colorado" by Paper Bird

Check it here.

It's been a day of unintended reflection on why myself and so many of my comrades love Colorado so much; for some, they love it here more than anyone, or anything, else. What better way to signify this than a song by Denver's own Paper Bird? (Well, it could only be better if Paper Bird referenced the BEARDS of the mountain men in their song, too. See lyrics below).

Take a listen, and if you're not living here, come out for a visit; after all it's not just ski season upon us, but beard season, and the season for which people linger longer and drinks are filled fuller and fires are lit brighter. We may miss summer, and long for spring, but the fall and winter are welcome friends we missed without fulling knowing they had gone.

Key Lyrics:

Miner's gold and mountain men
Is the best way for us to begin
To describe the greatest state we love so well.
Where rivers flow, huge pine trees and
Mountains as far as you can see when
You get here we all know you're gonna yell!

Colorado, colorado! escape the city in
The rocky mountain way,
Come on down, we'll take you to
Colorado, Colorado, Colorado

Closer to the Edge

Song of the Day: "Closer to the Edge" by 30 Seconds to Mars

I don't have cable at home. There are many (good) reasons that I don't, the foremost of which is that I love TV shows, and am already an expert at wasting time. However, now that it's growing colder I go to the gym in the mornings, and they have VH1 there. Thus, my first exposure to "Closer to the Edge" and its video. I don't know if I have ever listened to a 30 Seconds to Mars song all the way through before (I didn't like their early stuff) but Jared Leto sports a hot pink mohawk in this video; he's a man after my own heart. At any rate, the song made me run faster this morning, and I like that the video follows their tour. Go ahead, rock it out, even if you wouldn't admit you like them out loud.

Lucky

Song of the Day: Lucky by Jason Mraz and Colbie Cailat

This song is almost even too cheesy for me, but since I spent most of my evening catching up on past "Glee" episodes I missed, and this was a duet in one of them, it was meant to be. Plus, I have fond memories of spending 4th of July 2009 in a small, neighborhood bar in Amsterdam with a handful of locals and the owner, one of which was a man with long dreads who went behind the bar to play this on the stereo, repeatedly, and sing it to his lady. It was cute, I must admit, and thus, I also must share it here.

You and I

Song of the Day for Monday, October 25th: "You and I" by Ingrid Michaelson

Last night, I drove to Boulder and met my friends Allison and Acey and their 10 year old daughter Julia at the Boulder Theater for the Ingrid Michaelson concert. Ju had been bummed out last year when we went to see Ingrid and she didn't get to go, so this time was for her.

Some friends of mine don't like Ingrid's music because they say it's too simple, too cheesy, too cute. Once you go to a show though, you won't be disappointed--it's part comedy act, part great musical performance, part feeling like you're hanging with a friend. In short, delightful.

By far the best part though was belting out the tunes with Julia; absolutely adorable.

And because this weekend also involved talk of spooning, I leave you with these lyrics from "You and I":

Well you might be a bit confused
And you might be a little bit bruised
But baby how we spoon like no one else
So I will help you read those books
If you will soothe my worried looks
And we will put the lonesome on the shelf

Lets get rich and buy our parents homes in the south of France
Lets get rich and give everybody nice sweaters and teach them how to dance
Lets get rich and build a house on a mountain making everybody look like ants
From way up there, you and I, you and I

Home

Song of the Day for Sunday, October 24th: "Home" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

Yesterday I spent the entire day with six delightful friends, eating, drinking, watching, laughing, and dance-partying. It is so rare to have a day like that, where no one is rushing off to go anywhere--everyone is just there, content with hanging out, contributing to the happiness.

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros are a relatively new band in my orbit, but this song is great, and corresponds perfectly with yesterday; sometimes Home is just where ever I'm with you.

Check it here on Daytrotter.

Key lyrics:
Alabama Arkansas I sure Love my Ma and Pa
But not the way that I do Love you

Well, Holy Moly Me oh My
You're the apple of my eye
Girl I never loved one like you

Man o Man you're my best friend I scream it to the nothingness
that we got everything we need

Hot and Heavy pumpkin pie
Chocolate candy Jesus Christ
Aint nothin' please me more than you

Home, yeah we are Home
Home is Whenever I'm with you
Home, yes we are Home
Home is wherever I'm with you

Lalalala Take me Home
Mama I'm Coming Home

I follow you into the park, thru the jungle thru the dark
Girl I never loved one like you

Moats and boats and Waterfalls, Alleyways and payphone calls
I sure been everywhere with you

Laugh until we think we'll die, barefoot on a summer night
never could be sweeter than with you

Happy Hippo

Song of the Day: Happy Hippopotamus by the amazingly awesome Minneapolis band Cloud Cult

In honor of the 6th Annul HippoPUBamus!

Check it below, and maybe see you out at the crawl tonight!

Hashing Undead

Some things are too fun to pass up.

This includes running through the streets of downtown Denver with the Denver Hash House Harriers while dressed up as Zombies.

Running. Fake Blood. Beer. General mayhem. Braaaaiiiins.

Check out the full coverage here.

And the photo slideshow here.

Add it to the long, long, list of the many reasons I love Denver.

Whistle for the Choir

Song of the Day: "Whistle for the Choir" by The Fratellis

The Fratellis are not only the bad-guy family from the classic film "Goonies"--they're also a Scottish Alt Rock band, and a fairly recent discovery for me.

Click above to see it acoustically, but definitely check out the full band version.

Key lyrics:

So if you're lonely why'd you say your not lonely
Oh you're a silly girl, I know I hurt it so
It's just like you to come
And go

you know me

no you don't even know me
Your so sweet to try, oh my, you caught my eye
A girl like you's just irresistible

Happy

Song of the Day: Happy by Never Shout Never

Check it here.

This tune came up on my Regina Spektor Pandora station this morning.

Best lines:
I'm happy knowing that you are mine
The grass is greener on the other side
The more I think, the more I wish
That we could lay here for hours and just reminisce
On the good, the bad, the ugly
The smiles, the laughs, the funny

Some day, I shall dance ridiculously in my kitchen with someone I would play this for, or them for me.

Today, I am the queen of delightful cheesiness. I wish I had some Tillamook Extra Sharp White Cheddar right now.

Enjoy the cheese-tastic-ness!

Gray or Blue

Song of the Day: Jaymay, Gray or Blue

Click here to see (lyrics included)

Best line: "I can't keep staring at your mouth without wonderin' how it tastes"

Enjoy!

It was a good ride, for a good cause

This spring I started a new hobby.

It sprang from an idea born at my friend Kristin's wedding reception in January in Iowa that unexpectedly doubled as a mini-college reunion. As we toasted the happy new couple (with a bit too much wine), plans were made to join a team to ride the Des Moines Register's Annual Bike Ride across Iowa (RAGBRAI) the last week of July.

Excitement built the next few months, and I registered to join Kristin and her husband Andy's team, The Crank Addicts. Never mind I had no bike, no gear, and no idea how to change a tire (nor that there was a tube INSIDE the tire).

As you can tell, becoming a "cyclist" was a well-thought out plan.

I began scouring Craigslist for a bike. After one Craigslist heartbreak and a bit of pouting over the "bike that got away," I bounced back and restarted my search.

Before I knew it, I was handing over a sizable amount of cash (the same amount, in fact, that I had sold my car for on Craigslist four years earlier) to a suburbanite in Golden, Colorado for One Sweet Ride.

Then came the learning curve of clipless pedals, riding shoes, learning to clip out quickly, falling in front of a busy golf course, falling while biking in high heels, and figuring out, how, exactly, DO I shift the gears on this bike?!?

As I put in some (well, one,) 50 mile day, and many more short rides in preparation, I began thinking about raising money through the bike ride for the NGO (non-governmental organization), One! International, I taught at in India last year. I've done many running races through the years, but never raised any money. I felt like this was the time, and the cause was perfect.

One! teaches and provides mentorship for over 100 students in two areas of the slums in Mumbai (Bombay). It's a small NGO, which does amazing work and really makes a difference in the kids’ lives, providing them opportunities through education they would never have otherwise.

Teaching there was the best and most rewarding thing I did while I lived and travelled abroad last year.

So, I set up a website donation page and emailed friends and family notifying them of my Crazy Bike Ride and corresponding cause.

RAGBRAI was, as I expected, amazing. I rode every mile plus 20 extra (to put in a century day) for a total of 462 miles in seven days. The event itself is more of a rolling party than anything else, and with all the small-town churches located along the route, I ate well (think pie, biscuits and gravy, pot roast, sweet corn, and enough pork for a lifetime). My teammates were delightful, and welcomed me like I was family.

RAGBRAI conjured up thoughts of a quote from the movie “Field of Dreams”, where Kevin Costner’s character is asked, “Is this heaven?”

And he responds, “No, it’s Iowa.”

And yet, despite all the joyous shenanigans that RAGBRAI brings, the most awesome part of the entire adventure was that because of the generosity of friends and family who were willing to support me and the children at One!, my Crazy Bike Ride Across Iowa raised a significant sum—$952.52 to date!

I whole-heartedly thank everyone who donated to my cause to support One!—the money raised will truly be used to directly benefit the wonderful children studying there and the kindhearted teachers and volunteers providing their time to help the kids succeed.

And next year if anyone's interested in doing RAGBRAI, don't waver, it's a total and complete blast! You will finish the ride with a sense of accomplishment, great stories, and absolutely no regrets.

Yep, that's me with the flashy orange pants, teaching in August, 2009 in Mumbai

Team Crank Addicts on the last morning of RAGBRAI! July, 2010

Hiatus Halted

It's been several months now, and my blog has been frozen in time. It seems it liked being stuck in January, what with the good skiing, wintery mixes, and the ever-present hope for snow days.

But now it’s June, and time to resurrect this medium of my thoughts and musings.

What’s sparking this revival, you ask?

Three things: baseball, birthdays, and a road trip!

Tomorrow I embark on a journey with my friend and travel-sidekick Jessie to explore the miles of highway between Denver and Minneapolis, logging lots of time in Nebraska, a night at my parents’ house in South Dakota, and a swing through Des Moines on the way home next week.

Why, you ask, this voyage through the Midwest in June?

Several months ago, a serendipitous fact was revealed: in that glorious part of the Major League Baseball schedule referred to as “Interleague Play” my beloved Minnesota Twins were to battle my beloved Colorado Rockies. On my birthday. In the newly minted Target Field.

The stars had aligned.

On top of it all, I get to see my parents, one of my closest friends from growing up (Krystal), and three of my closest friends from my undergrad days at Buena Vista University (Libby, Kristin, and Tiff) in the span of a week. Wine will be sipped, bikes will be ridden, cheese will be eatenm birthdays will be celebrate, and happy hours will be attended.

Does it get any better you ask?

Not as far as I’m concerned.

I got Jes on board, convinced her that Hollywood (my sapphire-blue Ford Focus) was the appropriate vessel to navigate said journey, and tomorrow we will embark with a Vampire book on CD, a Willie Nelson t-shirt, seven maps and travel books from AAA, a fedora driving hat, three tins of Pringles, tons of sing-along-songs, and a Tiki Necklace for good luck (one should note on road trips, there can never be enough Flair).

It may not be India, but those open roads of Nebraska may prove to have several adventures in our wake.

As Willie says,

On the Road Again
I just can’t wait to get on the road again
The life I love is watching baseball with my friends
I just can’t wait to get on the road again

You don't get love, you give it

When I was traveling last year, I read a lot of books.

One of those books was "Shantaram" by Gregory David Roberts. It's a mammoth book, a colossal undertaking of 944 pages that I braved largely because it was based in my newly-adopted hometown of Mumbai (Bombay), India. Like the author, I too had relocated there, though admittedly on much tamer circumstances. I bought the book on the second day of a 9 day trek in Nepal (after realizing Twilight #2 was nowhere to be found). I still shoulder some guilt for having our 16-year old porter Norbu carry it all those miles.

There's a line in the book, where Roberts ends one of the chapters by writing "You don't get love, you give it." At the time, I wrote it off for a cliche statement. But it has stuck with me since that quiet day in May when I read it, and I find myself lately reflecting back on one of the most amazing years of my life, and realizing just how true it is.

I've been fortunate enough to meet people throughout this year, and have experiences, that I would never have had the courage to even attempt in the first place without the support of so many family and friends. I've found myself thinking a lot about giving versus getting love, as I have been lucky enough to be the recipient of so much love, often when I didn't even deserve it.

Selflessly and completely, people have seriously shown me the love this year. And I keep wondering if I've done the same in return.

Several people have asked me what the highlights were of my time abroad, and one of the first things that comes to mind is my experience teaching in Bombay. The children I taught there are amazing, and as much as I love them, I feel like they gave me so much more love, unconditionally and without question, even while having so little, that it wasn't nearly a fair trade (though I did teach them what "totally awesome" meant, so I tried to show my appreciation on some level).

My entire adventure would not have been possible without my friend Sunitha and her husband Ashwyn who welcomed me not as a guest in their home, but as part of their family. I'm yet to figure out a proper repayment for their kindness, generosity, and sharing of their wealth of knowledge about Bombay (specifically its fine foods, both at home and eating out!) To have that time to spend with Sunitha again was priceless; I hope someday I will have a home as awesome as theirs to host them in (and maybe even on a beach, too!) and try and live up to the high bar that is Indian hospitality.

I'm not sure I ever explained how much it meant to me that friends and family came to visit me--Jessie, Bryan, and Randy--and experience the craziness of India firsthand, but the random motorcycle rides in the dark, the beers for breakfast, and the photo collages of food in Nepal and India will not soon be forgotten. For those friends I traveled with outside of India--Libby, Abdullah, Patti, Sarah and Gareth--the nights out in Mykonos, the kufte in Istanbul, the brewery tours in Ireland/Holland, the MeatBowl in Melbourne all still bring a smile to my face.

The list goes on of all the people who have given me so much love: the D-town winos, who got me bacon when I was fresh off the plane back in Denver in August; Annie K, not only for keeping my car but always being there to listen to all my random boy stories; Carolyn for watching my plants and being a shoulder to lean on; my parents for supporting me even when they think I'm crazy (which, I think is a majority of the time); Maria for encouraging me not to get a real job and to travel more; Jeffy Peeps for being my favorite Peoples; Joe for sending me Newsweeks and Economists in the mail; Nanu for telling me that no one would judge me if I decided I hated India and decided to go home early; Phil for hooking us up with Pemba Sherpa in Nepal; and for everyone that sent me a message while I was gone, that I've seen since I've gotten back over coffee, whiskeys, lunches or beers; who read my blog and (hopefully) enjoyed it; it's been amazing for me to have you all along for the ride the last year with me, through the ups and downs, the rik-shaws and the cows, the dance parties and the sunrises.

I come back to the statement again; with all this love I'm getting, is it true that you don't really get it, but give it?

And then, January 8th marked one year since I departed Denver and flew to Mumbai, unsure of what life held for me but extremely excited, apprehensive, and happy. Now I find myself a few days into the new year, feeling similar, but for so many different reasons. My home is again in Denver, though I haven't had my own "home" yet, as I have been so lucky to have friends like Todd, Emily, Angelique, and Patti that have let me lean on them and literally put a roof over my head. For their graciousness, I am ever grateful. I've reconnected with old friends and met new ones, and set down temporary roots with a new job. My wanderlust hasn't waned, but for right now, I am trying to keep it in check (though trips to South Dakota, Minneapolis, Iowa, and soon Phoenix worked themselves into my itinerary quickly in the nearly five months since I've been back).

When I was in India, my friend Jim and I in Denver wrote snail mail letters back and forth (which were a guarantee to wipe out any inkling of homesickness each time I got one). In one of those letters in February, I remember writing him about how happy I was at that moment, being in India, floundering but exploring, pushing my boundaries, encompassed by novelty and sensory overload and cows and garbage and color. I'm pretty sure the next day I was probably cursing India and all its headaches and shortcomings and lack of infrastructure. But at that moment, as I wrote to my good buddy, my perspective wasn't tainted. It was filled with love of my situation, my experience, my adventure. I was letting the love in, and giving it back.

The journey I set out on last year may have come full circle, as a new one is just beginning. And for that I am extraordinarily grateful. Because of all the things I learned, one of the most important was to not be afraid to give love. I've learned that if you do give it, you may find yourself lucky enough to get it, too. And I hope, out of all the books I've read over the years, I carry that message I came across in Shantaram with me in all my adventures yet to come.

All good things must end

July 26 - August 18, 2009 Mumbai & Lonavla, India

My last three weeks in India were bittersweet.

I moved from my friend Sunitha's house to the apartment with the volunteer housing. Since I would be teaching full time at both the school in the city and one in Nallasopara, a northern suburb. To say I was moving to a polar opposite place could not have been more accurate, and as Terri, a fellow volunteer commented when he helped me haul my stuff to the new apartment: "You DO know what it looks like, right?"

I did, and I was excited for this change for the last bit of time I spent in Mumbai.

My last few weeks were tiring, but mostly happy. I would leave for a full day of teaching either at the Khar Danda school, which was a 10 minute rik ride away, or prepare to go to Nallasopara, which involved the following steps:


1. Rik to train station: 10 minutes
2. Buy train ticket: 1-5 minutes
3. Wait for train/eat salty snacks for breakfast: 10 minutes
4. Get on correct train in women's compartment for 50 minutes
5. Exit train, find Shankar (fellow teacher) to meet and walk to another rik: 5-10 minutes
6. Rik to slum: 10-15 minutes
7. Walk from edge of slum to school, 15 minutes
8. Teach all day
9. Repeat commute, but in reverse
Below are several photos from those last few weeks at Nallasopara and at Khar:

All smiles at Nallasopara, though I am pretty sure this wasn't my demeanor the whole day, but it certainly was his!

Sunil at Khar Danda school; soooooooo many computer flashcards we studied!

Milk store on the way to/from Khar School.

Good carrier truck, common scene in the slums and on the regular roads. This one is in Nallasopara.

This awesome kid and I learned "U" is for unicorn. I love this photo of him.

Thanks to my friend Joe in Denver for sending me news magazines; little Sapna especially liked this one.

Deepak, one of the oldest boys at Khar school. He does a MEAN rendition of "Lean on Me."

As i took this photo, one of the students reminded me, "Leah Didi, that's a cow." Yes, indeed.

On my last day at Nallasopara. Pencils and Bananas, naturally! I love the girl in the background.

Much time was spent the last few weeks dodging the huge rats in the alleyways between the buildings that lead to the Internet "store" from the apartment, catching up with friends I had missed while traveling in Europe, and going out and meeting new friends, and some new guys, too. I knew soon enough I would be another tallish, blondish girl in America, so I took advantage of the attention and met some interesting fellas. I never would have experienced Indian karaoke, or sang "Summer of '69" to a boisterous crowd, if I hadn't met Senthil, or had the chance to dance to Akon until 3:30 a.m. if not for Chirag, Harsh and Mehir (my running club buddies), or stay up til sunrise, walk to Juhu beach with 7 others and drink from a coconut; the same sand where just two months before I was running to train for the half marathon in England. I also met up with Afreen, a woman who was at the Vipassana meditation with me who's from California, and we had a most interesting dinner at BBQ Nation, a popular, albeit pricey, restaurant. Finally, I made sure to take advantage of the spa in Mumbai one last time; an eyebrow threading (rather than wax) comes out to less than $1 there (some things I do really miss about India).

Some more photos from school:

"Kushboo's best friend Leah" awwww

He smiled ALWAYS, except for this snap.

Seriously, so composed!

And then, 5 seconds later! Happiness!

Swine flu caused me to miss my last few days with my kids at Khar, which I was way bummed out, but teacher Mahendra and I poked some fun of it my last day at Nallasopara.

A group of the youngest kids at Nallasopara!

My last weekend in India I spent in Lonavla, a few hours out of Mumbai, with the Hash running club. Being monsoon season, we still ran, even in the pouring rain. We also had two nights of dance parties and a late night drive up the mountain side, listening to M.I.A. and the Black-Eyed Peas will not be soon forgotten. It was the last day of the weekend when I was christened with my Hash Name "Slum Bitch" in honor of my teaching stint, and riding back to the city with Harsh, Chirag and Mehir I wondered when I would see them again, but I never wondered IF I would. Harsh and Chirag especially were great friends to me when I was in Mumbai, sharing in several adventures, and without which my experience would have been very different. Thank goodness I love to learn from books, and read a book that mentioned the Hash House Harriers. And thank goodness for Facebook, that I know what they're doing all the time.

Mehir and Harsh on our first run of the weekend.

Sad faces cuz I'm going back to the states.

Mehir and road cow!

Me and the boys.

Lonavla beauty.

I took a rik from the volunteer apartments after the guys dropped me off (after a few last beers) and headed to Sunitha's, as she would be taking me to the airport the next day. I spent the last day having a samosa at my favorite sweet shop, Tewari Brothers, and checking my email at good old Reliance World, even with their crap customer service, they did allow me to Skype.

It was with mixed feelings I packed and prepared to leave. I was really calm though; I knew it was time to go, and I knew what would await me as all the adventures I had did not come cheap, and realized I would have to get a job when I returned.

I wasn't worried though; I was happy. Happy to have been in India, happy to be leaving for the next chapter of my life, and happy to know that even though I was leaving friends behind I would be returning to so many I missed.

Sunitha escorted me to the airport, and while it was sad to say goodbye to her, she joked we'd have a reunion at some point, likely at my wedding (which may very well be in 50 years). I couldn't help laugh though, as just three weeks earlier when I left Vipassana my rik driver had told me "You are not Married! NOOOO! How old are you? 30!?! Oh my. Next year, I know this. You return to India, with your husband. You will be married then. Then you will find me, and I will be SOOOOOOOOOO happy! Yes, this I know, because you have a good spirit! You will be happy with husband yes!"

As I got out of the rik, hugged Suni and took in my last gulp of humid, Bombay-polluted air I turned and smiled. I had survived India, and India had survived me. And who knows what next year will bring...but I couldn't wait to find out.

Some of my favorite kids, coloring break, Khar Danda school, Mumbai, India.

London Town (or I love Cadbury Spread on Toast)

July 7-12th, 2009

"I'm saving up my money

Gonna fly back to London Town

Don't think that I should

But I can't help myself right now

Cuz if I make it

Back to London

I may never

Make it out." --Chris Seefried, "London"

The two things I loved most about London: easily navigable public transit and Cadbury chocolate spread on toast.

I arrived in London on a Tuesday afternoon, tired from my flight from Athens but excited about being in London for the first time in a decade. I found my hostel easily (located a block from Hyde Park,) and thanks to advice from my friend Pete from high school bought an oyster card for the public transit. My hostel had free wireless as well as a common room, and since I was staying in a shared room with 7 others, it was a welcome amenity. I took it easy the first night, treating myself to an Italian dinner and a good glass of wine.

The next day I went for an early job in Hyde Park; it's not every day I get a chance to run past so many historic things, but I found myself wondering what it would be like to run past those each day. It was something, I thought, I could get used to.

After making plans to meet up with Pete the next day, I began navigating the buses and Tube. I passed by Big Ben and gave him a wave, and then took a ride in the London Eye, since that wasn't there the last time I was in London. Having nothing on my hands but time, I took in the Dali exhibit and made my way to Trafalgar Square, treated myself to coffee, and ducked into the National Gallery for a few minutes.

It was freeing to be able to make decisions on a whim, traveling alone. And I wasn't lonely due to the large amount of people around. I was loving London, and it seemed to be sharing the love right back.

My next decision: going to Lion King in the evening, which was fantastic and I had never seen it before. I ended up sitting next to a Canadian women in her early 20s who was nannying abroad, and hoping next to go to Spain.

View from/of the London Eye.

Hello London.

There's the Big Ben.

London Archy architecture.

Boy conquers lion in Tralfagar Square.

The following morning I headed out to the Campden Market and found some used Wellies to take back with me for the monsoon season in India. I spent most of the day wandering, taking photos, and eating fish n chips before busing it to the Hampstead Heath area and walking to the highest point in London. Finishing a book, I watched a handsome guy flying a kite before heading back down to meet Pete for crepes and a beer. It'd been years since I'd seen him, and it was great to catch up. Soon we were heading to the opposite side of town, to go to a party with some of Pete's friends who are professional symphony musicians. A few had played in the Mumbai Symphony, so it was especially fun for me to talk with them (though I couldn't help wonder how I happened to be crashing a party full of professional musicians, when I quit the clarinet in 10th grade and can't play a bar chord clearly on my guitar). I had to run to catch the tube back to the hostel before it stopped for the night, and as I reached I spilled my purse on the ground, the token/security man took pity on me and helped me gather extra change before the last train left.

Wellies from London, left in Mumbai. Such a pity I didn't bring them back.

Can you believe I held out and did not buy a wig? Loved this store though!

View from Hampstead Heath.

I continued my touristy trail of London the next day by strolling through the British Museum in the late morning, finding it odd to see art and sculpture from India and Greece when I had just been there. I did see a mummified hippo, the Rosetta Stone, and an outdoor garden exhibit on Indian plant life. I met Pete and two of his friends for lunch and we had, of all things, Indian Thali, which was delicious. I found a copy of High Fidelity in the afternoon in an old bookstore, and found a phone to call to change my flight back to the U.S. I wandered through the National Portrait Gallery (fantastic) and failed in my attempt to find a small photography museum.

Later, again in Tralfagar Square, there was a live art display taking place where each individual spent an hour on this raised pedestal in the square and could do anything they wanted, as long as it was legal, and they were alone. I saw a woman reading a book--not aloud--followed by a soccer mascot dancing to a boombox.

That is one OLD hippo.

My buddy.

Art display near Indian restaurant in London.

I soon made my way to the Aldwych Theatre where I upgraded my seat for Dirty Dancing (and yes, I had the time of my life). At the bus stop back, I was asked for directions from a young couple. Surprisingly, I was able o help them. I guess it only takes 3 days in London to seem at ease (and avid use of public transit).

LOVE that I got the random 80s girl in with the hot pink signs!

On Saturday I headed to the Portobello Market in Nottinghill where I was met by Pete and his friend Elizabeth, another delightful American. We wandered, ate churros, people watched, drank beer, basically, it was fabulous. In the afternoon I headed to see a Kate Nash show at a literature festival in Queen Elizabeth Hall that was a combined book release/signing for Laura Dockrill, a friend of Nash's releasing a book called "Ugly Shy Girls", and met Pete and Elizabeth again that night for a drink, though with the early closing of pubs in London it didn't end up being a late night. I did manage to get slightly lost finding the correct bus back to the hostel, but was able to sort it out, only getting slightly drenched in the rain.

Portobello Market view.

Please give me a key to your pastel house, where I will while away my days and water your plants.

Pete and I: Holla for SD!!!

Elizabeth is awesome!

I spent my last morning in London doing laundry and eating my last breakfast in a long time of toast with Cadbury chocolate spread (DELICIOUS!) I headed to the Serpentine Gallery in Hyde Park which featured art from American Jeff Koons and his work about Popeye and also inflatables (it was cool, trust me). I headed to the Natural History museum to see some dinosaurs, but since it was Sunday it was packed and being prone to claustrophobia, I split to see the Victoria & Albert Museum (or V&A) nearby and eat lunch by a pond outside. I highly recommend going if you are in London!

My last stop before the airport was to meet my friend Becca who I volunteered with at One! International in Mumbai. We had a beer and it was great to see her before I headed back to Mumbai. I told her I would be moving into the volunteer housing--where she had stayed--and she laughed, hoping I would be prepared, as it would be much more bare bones than Sunitha's house...so we would see!

Turns out, British dinosaurs RARRR just as loud as American ones.

Outside the V&A Museum pond before returning to Mumbai.