I didn't want to go here...really, Ididn't. Lord knows, being a Sista from the US, aka African American...yes, this has to be said. Looking into the sea of faces in southern India (Chennai), there is a sea of black faces...yet looking at the bill boards, nobody is posted who is truly "BROWN"...nary a brown face on the television shows...all the palest hughes only allowed. Look at the billboards...same thing. Walking through the toy stores, looking at the dolls, nary a brown-skinned baby doll. Even Miss India Barbie, just a tinch darker than our white standard American Barbie...This reminds me of the Oprah show where the African-American child wants to buy the white doll when presented a choice of either black or white toys, ultimately feeling that the white doll was good, the black doll was bad.
Yes, I got ticked off after getting a massage the first week here, and being offered to get a facial to bleach my skin lighter. UNFREAKIN' BELIEVABLE...this is like America 50 years ago... INDIA NEEDS THEIR OWN JAMES BROWN...."SAY IT LOUD, I'M BLACK AND I'M PROUD"...
There's nothing wrong with loving your white skin, but HONEY, why oh why do you hate your CHOCOLATE, CAFE OLAIT SKIN TONES.... WHO HAS YOU SO BRAINWASHED????
Yes, I wish Oprah could come here to help the Sista's out, because this deep rooted problem is beyond the pale...(no pun intended).
I'm still trying to figure out why we are getting starred at every time we leave the house; it is so annoying. We really try to blend in and not look too western, anyway they stare, probably trying to figure out what nationality we are. My advice, get a company to produce brown baby-dolls for a brown population and let your children know, yes it's okay to love your brown skin. All of God's children are beautiful.
Speaking of James Brown, "I feel good -- dun-nuh-dun-nuh-dun-nuh-dunt"...my baby got baptized today in the Bay of Bengal. We were singing songs (don't get me wrong, I was a little leary someone would rush me from behind and plant a dagger between my shoulder blades)...I know it's not quite that bad to be Christian here; true enough one of the brothers at the congregation did lose a hand preaching out in the rural villages...but you never know) Yes, a true test of your faith...we are so used to our securities in the states...anyway, it was a good day.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
OH MY ACHING BACK/HOLLYWOOD IN D-TOWN
A STAR IS BORN
HOME-SWEET-HOMEWhat can I say...
Anybody who knows me knows I do this wierd swivel thing with my lower hip/back, and WHAM, my right hip pops out of socket. There we were jumping up and down in the pool, then Christine says, "do the frog jump now"...well, it didn't pop right then, but around 8:00 p.m. last night...(yeah, I had primed it up to pop at the precise moment we were leaving the restaurant)...I had to drop my purse and force Ashley to carry it. I am in such pain. It did n't go all the way out, just half way. I'm writhing in pain. This restaurant/dive was so cool. Lydie owns it. It's not really like your typical 5 star restaurant, much more down to earth (maybe a 3 star). All open air, several levels...totally exotic with beautifully carved furniture and silver, bamboo ceilings with silky, gold flected fabrics hanging from the roped rafters; fans and lights rigged, candles and incense glowing (whatever it takes to keep the mosquitoes at bay, including a few coils). There is a huge separate party area that is terraced down with maybe 10 tables built in from a schalacked three foot diameter tree, and you come to a level of huge woven baskets that like 4/5 people can lounge in, flanked with pillows and cushions. It's just the coolest pit ever. In fact there are two HUGE woven baskets. I had to practically drag BRIANA out of one after she dove in. Lydie wants to have a book club..."Like Oprah??" I exclaimed..."Not quite like Oprah's.." she informed me. I can't wait. I have such strong opinions about everything. Anyway, we will meet in the pit area.
She is the main chef/cook there. She is from Belgum also and is married an Indian guy. She is full of stories. It's hard to deny her artistic touch. When she was younger she illustrated a children's book as well. Actually, they both are great cooks. When you come to visit me, we will definitely hang out there one evening for a great meal. Anyways...I'm hobbling out of there as fast as I can to watch Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" that is supposed to be on HBO. Oh well, we get home, and I realize we missed it...got the time wrong. I fell asleep watching it when it first came out, so I've been meaning to see it again...not like I was bored to death the first time or anything...
I am making great progress swimming. The good thing is I did 5 laps. Yeah, I've been working on my form. I was bending my knees, couldn't get my head turned right to get enough air. I am so proud of myself. Yeah, I'll be ready to go snorkeling before you know it. Ashley is doing pretty good too. She is super buoyant. Hehehe. Christine says she has lazy arms, and she says I have lazy legs. Hmmm, I wonder why...IT COULDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS BAD HIP, YA THINK?
Yes, Ash and I are bonding in a great way...now I have got to get her going with her online classes.
HERE'S THE KICKER....JOYCE IS GONNA BE IN A FILM. I JUST GOT THE NEWS AND I CAN'T BELIEVE IT. I AM ECSTATIC ABOUT THIS....Why does everything good start happening when I leave somewhere. It was the same way in Atlanta. There we were reporting for this agency in this courthouse, and the day I take my permanent (maternity) leave - everything changes. Salaries shoot way up, the girls get hired by the government, etc. etc., Well, now that I'm here in Chennai...HOLLYWOOD DECIDES TO COME TO DECATUR FOR A MOVIE STARING MATT DAMAN AND and JOYCE G----. THEY NEED A REPORTER...THEY DREW LOTS AND IT FELL TO J-O-Y-C-E....Can't believe it. WOW. Okay, we have to get Joyce to do something special when the camera zooms in. How much fun can it be to just sit there with your hands on the keyboard. Yeah, what I think you ought to do is...just as the camera pans the courtroom, yell at the attorney.."CAN YOU SPEAK UP" or maybe if you yell out in a terse voice "SLOW DOWN"...maybe even shoot a dirty look or two towards the lense, that would make the movie really memorable, HEY JUST KEEPIN' IT REAL. You might even help this movie to be nominated for an Oscar. I'm telling you, Joyce, this is your big chance. Can't you see the Judges for the Oscar debating to give it to movie "X" or the movie with MATT DAMAN. Yep, the tipping point would come when someone would say..."Man, I just can't get over that scene with the cute reporter ranting, taking control of the courtroom". Let's give it to MATT and JOYCE.
This is great. What are you going to wear? Whad da ya think, maybe a few blonde highlights...(I'll give it a rest). But I am so happy about this. This is better than all the attention on the Slover trial.
Got the pictues of the girls up now (Bri showed me how to do it). Just ask as 5th grader I guess. No, I am not as smart as a 5th grader. Gotta go. Maybe if I play my cards right, Bri will show me how to put a video on my blog...
Anybody who knows me knows I do this wierd swivel thing with my lower hip/back, and WHAM, my right hip pops out of socket. There we were jumping up and down in the pool, then Christine says, "do the frog jump now"...well, it didn't pop right then, but around 8:00 p.m. last night...(yeah, I had primed it up to pop at the precise moment we were leaving the restaurant)...I had to drop my purse and force Ashley to carry it. I am in such pain. It did n't go all the way out, just half way. I'm writhing in pain. This restaurant/dive was so cool. Lydie owns it. It's not really like your typical 5 star restaurant, much more down to earth (maybe a 3 star). All open air, several levels...totally exotic with beautifully carved furniture and silver, bamboo ceilings with silky, gold flected fabrics hanging from the roped rafters; fans and lights rigged, candles and incense glowing (whatever it takes to keep the mosquitoes at bay, including a few coils). There is a huge separate party area that is terraced down with maybe 10 tables built in from a schalacked three foot diameter tree, and you come to a level of huge woven baskets that like 4/5 people can lounge in, flanked with pillows and cushions. It's just the coolest pit ever. In fact there are two HUGE woven baskets. I had to practically drag BRIANA out of one after she dove in. Lydie wants to have a book club..."Like Oprah??" I exclaimed..."Not quite like Oprah's.." she informed me. I can't wait. I have such strong opinions about everything. Anyway, we will meet in the pit area.
She is the main chef/cook there. She is from Belgum also and is married an Indian guy. She is full of stories. It's hard to deny her artistic touch. When she was younger she illustrated a children's book as well. Actually, they both are great cooks. When you come to visit me, we will definitely hang out there one evening for a great meal. Anyways...I'm hobbling out of there as fast as I can to watch Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" that is supposed to be on HBO. Oh well, we get home, and I realize we missed it...got the time wrong. I fell asleep watching it when it first came out, so I've been meaning to see it again...not like I was bored to death the first time or anything...
I am making great progress swimming. The good thing is I did 5 laps. Yeah, I've been working on my form. I was bending my knees, couldn't get my head turned right to get enough air. I am so proud of myself. Yeah, I'll be ready to go snorkeling before you know it. Ashley is doing pretty good too. She is super buoyant. Hehehe. Christine says she has lazy arms, and she says I have lazy legs. Hmmm, I wonder why...IT COULDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS BAD HIP, YA THINK?
Yes, Ash and I are bonding in a great way...now I have got to get her going with her online classes.
HERE'S THE KICKER....JOYCE IS GONNA BE IN A FILM. I JUST GOT THE NEWS AND I CAN'T BELIEVE IT. I AM ECSTATIC ABOUT THIS....Why does everything good start happening when I leave somewhere. It was the same way in Atlanta. There we were reporting for this agency in this courthouse, and the day I take my permanent (maternity) leave - everything changes. Salaries shoot way up, the girls get hired by the government, etc. etc., Well, now that I'm here in Chennai...HOLLYWOOD DECIDES TO COME TO DECATUR FOR A MOVIE STARING MATT DAMAN AND and JOYCE G----. THEY NEED A REPORTER...THEY DREW LOTS AND IT FELL TO J-O-Y-C-E....Can't believe it. WOW. Okay, we have to get Joyce to do something special when the camera zooms in. How much fun can it be to just sit there with your hands on the keyboard. Yeah, what I think you ought to do is...just as the camera pans the courtroom, yell at the attorney.."CAN YOU SPEAK UP" or maybe if you yell out in a terse voice "SLOW DOWN"...maybe even shoot a dirty look or two towards the lense, that would make the movie really memorable, HEY JUST KEEPIN' IT REAL. You might even help this movie to be nominated for an Oscar. I'm telling you, Joyce, this is your big chance. Can't you see the Judges for the Oscar debating to give it to movie "X" or the movie with MATT DAMAN. Yep, the tipping point would come when someone would say..."Man, I just can't get over that scene with the cute reporter ranting, taking control of the courtroom". Let's give it to MATT and JOYCE.
This is great. What are you going to wear? Whad da ya think, maybe a few blonde highlights...(I'll give it a rest). But I am so happy about this. This is better than all the attention on the Slover trial.
Got the pictues of the girls up now (Bri showed me how to do it). Just ask as 5th grader I guess. No, I am not as smart as a 5th grader. Gotta go. Maybe if I play my cards right, Bri will show me how to put a video on my blog...
Sunday, April 20, 2008
PICTURE UPDATE
JOHNNIE-FANNIE-MELVOY-REE-BRITTANY
MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS...No, this is not John's new car yet. I have to find the camera and the USB cord thingy. Anyway, here are pix's from my famly and friends and church family. Love you guys...
I tried to get the pictures to come up from the courthouse, but couldn't get the .jpg stuff to load. I will have to get my scanner in a couple of months to load the group pictures of all the reporters. Those really came out nice. I miss you guys. You too TONYA, RENEA, JUDGE WHITE..EVERYBODY (See what happens when you start to mention names) I REALLY MISS ALL OF YOU. HUGS AND KISSES...marsha faye
Saturday, April 19, 2008
WE GOT THE INTERNET!!!
I am so happy, last night about 7:30 p.m. they came to install our internet. Finally, a chance to communicate with the world. So much has been going on. Last week John gave a sermon at church. It really was one of the best motivating lessons that he has given. Five people responded for baptism, and we went to the ocean to baptize them. One woman had a earing in her nose, and John squeezed her nose shut and shoved her under a wave. I couldn't belive it.
Our first shipment will be arriving next week. They said it was coming this week, but we have learned that yes, even in India, everything moves on CP time. Ha.
I couldn't believe reading about the earthquake in Illinois. How scary...aftershocks??? How scary is that?? My sister Judy said she ended up on the floor from her bed. This morning we had a meeting on dealing with emergencies, how to travel, dealing with alerts. Let's just say, I hope my driver doesn't hit anybody and invoke and angry mob to storm our car...I'll just leave it there and say my daily prayers. This world is so different.
The girls and I have started an aqua aerobics class. Christine is a blast. She knows a little bit of everything, and I find myself picking my jaw up from the ground (or the bottom of the pool). She is definitely "straight up". She has lived 8 years in Hong Kong, all over the world (originally from Belgum) and has been here for four years. I'll take pictures later and post them of the girls in the water. No, you are not ready to see me in my swimsuit yet.
I'm trying to plan a summer vacation, and can't decide whether to go to Egypt or Singapore. I wanted to go to Bejing for the Olympics...but that ain't happening.
Oh yeah, John got a new vehicle this week, a 2008 Ford Festiva for work. Ashley and Bri were hanging on the doors throwing gang signs and acting crazy. I'll post those pictures maybe tomorrow.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
NEW HOUSE, HERE WE COME!!
Yesterday was unbelievable. Ashley was having too many reactions to the mold in the hotel, we had to get her out of here. We are forging ahead to get her into the house early, so we are renting furniture (2 more months until ours gets here). The kids had a great time at the pool yesterday. Lilly is doing great. The air quality is a lot better coming off of the ocean, the breeze was so nice. I really had a chance to relax. I had to start buying things all over that I know will be in our airshipment when that arrives in a couple of weeks. I hate having to buy towles when I've got a bunch of new towles en route.
Ashley says just grab some from the hotel. So much for the years of attending church and trying to instill some semblence of ..."thou shalt not steal"...
Her reply was, well, they will just put it on the hotel bill anyway. Hhmmmm...nahh.
Bri was better today, but the monotony of her incessant whining to go home is really getting to me. (Not really). She turns the tv chanel to the off station/broadcasting one with the stripes and fuzzy stuff and watches it to rebel. Not working kid. I know she is really homesick, and is doing better when her friends write and she blogs. This is a great spot to release tensions and craziness that is building up.
Well, John is as happy as a lark. (Glad somebody in our crew is). My bottom line, I see I'm going to have to learn Tamil a lot sooner than I thought. Not as many English speaking people in my circle. My driver knows a few words, everyone else -- nada. Okay, maybe they say "hello" ...and maybe I can say.. "vannakam (hello)" too. So we are tied. Gotta go, Bri wants to blog. Anything to make her happy ...the hoops I've been jumping through are ridiculous. But it is getting better
Ashley says just grab some from the hotel. So much for the years of attending church and trying to instill some semblence of ..."thou shalt not steal"...
Her reply was, well, they will just put it on the hotel bill anyway. Hhmmmm...nahh.
Bri was better today, but the monotony of her incessant whining to go home is really getting to me. (Not really). She turns the tv chanel to the off station/broadcasting one with the stripes and fuzzy stuff and watches it to rebel. Not working kid. I know she is really homesick, and is doing better when her friends write and she blogs. This is a great spot to release tensions and craziness that is building up.
Well, John is as happy as a lark. (Glad somebody in our crew is). My bottom line, I see I'm going to have to learn Tamil a lot sooner than I thought. Not as many English speaking people in my circle. My driver knows a few words, everyone else -- nada. Okay, maybe they say "hello" ...and maybe I can say.. "vannakam (hello)" too. So we are tied. Gotta go, Bri wants to blog. Anything to make her happy ...the hoops I've been jumping through are ridiculous. But it is getting better
Sunday, March 30, 2008
ARE WE THERE YET?
I feel like I’ve been run over by a truck. Today I’m sitting in a fancy-smancy lounge at the airport, waiting for our flight to be called. Now is as good a time as any to be reflecting over the blur of my life during the last 24 hours. Last night we had our final big send ARE off. All my brothers and sisters were there, family, close friends. I guess I’m all cried out. This may sound morbid…but farewells are so hard. To me this seemed like what my funeral would be like. All of us hugging and crying. Death is a separation of body and soul. So separating me from my family is kinda like dying a little. Don’t get me wrong…it takes my oldest brother, Howard, to interject the fact that …”we may never see each other again, many of us are old, sickly…etc.” Hey, the world could end tomorrow…might as well try and enjoy today. I still hear John’s voice saying, “Don’t be mad at me for taking Marsha away…”
Look at it this way, now you all have some place exciting to come to. IIINNNNDDDDDIIIIIIAAAAAA.
I’ve spent 19 years at the courthouse, and as thrilled as I am about not having to “work” anymore, I’m gonna miss all of these people, my work family. Kelly Jo and the girls…Whhhhaaa…..why is Johnnie taking me half way around the world….wwwhhhhyyyyyyyy. Okay, Joyce, as soon as you email me the pictures from work, I’m gonna post them. Tell Christina to email me Julie’s birthday picture with the sombrero and whip cream and I’ll post that too. Ha.
One more hour and we can board the plane. Lilly is mad at being locked in the crate. John is being obnoxious to the kids. We are just one big happy family waiting to bust a move into Chennai. Look out world…Believe it or not, Bri has not started her “are we there yet” kick. Here’s to our first day away from home. I never realized how bonded I was to that little bit of land or all of these people.
Look at it this way, now you all have some place exciting to come to. IIINNNNDDDDDIIIIIIAAAAAA.
I’ve spent 19 years at the courthouse, and as thrilled as I am about not having to “work” anymore, I’m gonna miss all of these people, my work family. Kelly Jo and the girls…Whhhhaaa…..why is Johnnie taking me half way around the world….wwwhhhhyyyyyyyy. Okay, Joyce, as soon as you email me the pictures from work, I’m gonna post them. Tell Christina to email me Julie’s birthday picture with the sombrero and whip cream and I’ll post that too. Ha.
One more hour and we can board the plane. Lilly is mad at being locked in the crate. John is being obnoxious to the kids. We are just one big happy family waiting to bust a move into Chennai. Look out world…Believe it or not, Bri has not started her “are we there yet” kick. Here’s to our first day away from home. I never realized how bonded I was to that little bit of land or all of these people.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
IT'S GOTTA GET BETTER
It's 3:00 a.m. and I can't sleep...imagine that. Well, I'm up so I might as well blog. After three days of moving, the house should be empty today. We've got the flight booked, Baldwin Shuttle will get us to the airport next Friday. I keep roaming through the house. I forgot to move my pile of dirty laundry to take to the cleaners...well when I wasn't looking they packed it. I wanted to leave a bunch of mugs and stuff in the kitchen...well, I turned my back and they packed it...so much for John taking care of things while I was gone. (It's so much easier to blame him, ha). I guess you get the drift, the list could go on. At least John got rid of the garbage bags before that was loaded as well. A week ago we had dinner with his boss, and lo and behold, he gave us that admonition. Yeah, his garbage was packed and shipped for his overseas assignment as well.
But truthfully, I haven't had the mental ability to focus on detail. I still feel like I'm in shock, just moving on autopilot. We are taking Lilly, our dog. Found out yesterday there is another hoop to jump through to get her through customs. Well, I called the Indian embassy, waited on the phone about five minutes. Then the automated service disconnected the call, stating there was no one available to talk to me. This was around 3:00 p.m. Geez, Louise. I guess it was the wrong time of day for service. I'm hoping I won't have to make a mad dash to Chicago to procure this "no objection certificate". No, we are not having fun yet.
My daughter Bri's last day of school was today. Thought I would have to drag her from the building screaming and kicking, wailing in grief. (Her melt down occurred last week, and she went to talk to a counselor there). Her teacher did throw a party for her, and I have decided to let her blog and get email from her fellow students, really magnanimous of me. You just can't be too careful with kids on the internet. (I won't go into detail today with my older daughter's unfortunate escapades on line.) Anywy, I see now I've got to edit Bri's blog. Why do I feel like an abject failure? Her "expressions of creativity" leave me picking up my jaw off of the floor. Where does a little 5th grader get all of this stuff. Yeah, we've got our work cut out for us. I'll hook her blog up to mine once I figure out how to do this stuff.
All this dust settling throughout the house has me sneezing my head off. I can't breathe. My air purifier is packed and gone. I guess it will be time to bust a move to a hotel soon. John wants to do a whirlwind tour to say goodbye to kinfolk in Kentucky this weekend. Happy Easter, goodbye. Well I wanted to whiz down to Mississippi and Tennessee as well to get a hug from my elderly aunts and uncles, but I guess that is more than he can handle. Guess Ma Bell is the next best thing for me. Truthfully, I don't think I can take a great emotional blast anyway...just keep it quick and clean. Gotta watch my stress levels. Heaven knows I don't want John's blood pressure getting any higher. Yeah, it's gotta get better...and it will.
But truthfully, I haven't had the mental ability to focus on detail. I still feel like I'm in shock, just moving on autopilot. We are taking Lilly, our dog. Found out yesterday there is another hoop to jump through to get her through customs. Well, I called the Indian embassy, waited on the phone about five minutes. Then the automated service disconnected the call, stating there was no one available to talk to me. This was around 3:00 p.m. Geez, Louise. I guess it was the wrong time of day for service. I'm hoping I won't have to make a mad dash to Chicago to procure this "no objection certificate". No, we are not having fun yet.
My daughter Bri's last day of school was today. Thought I would have to drag her from the building screaming and kicking, wailing in grief. (Her melt down occurred last week, and she went to talk to a counselor there). Her teacher did throw a party for her, and I have decided to let her blog and get email from her fellow students, really magnanimous of me. You just can't be too careful with kids on the internet. (I won't go into detail today with my older daughter's unfortunate escapades on line.) Anywy, I see now I've got to edit Bri's blog. Why do I feel like an abject failure? Her "expressions of creativity" leave me picking up my jaw off of the floor. Where does a little 5th grader get all of this stuff. Yeah, we've got our work cut out for us. I'll hook her blog up to mine once I figure out how to do this stuff.
All this dust settling throughout the house has me sneezing my head off. I can't breathe. My air purifier is packed and gone. I guess it will be time to bust a move to a hotel soon. John wants to do a whirlwind tour to say goodbye to kinfolk in Kentucky this weekend. Happy Easter, goodbye. Well I wanted to whiz down to Mississippi and Tennessee as well to get a hug from my elderly aunts and uncles, but I guess that is more than he can handle. Guess Ma Bell is the next best thing for me. Truthfully, I don't think I can take a great emotional blast anyway...just keep it quick and clean. Gotta watch my stress levels. Heaven knows I don't want John's blood pressure getting any higher. Yeah, it's gotta get better...and it will.
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