Sometimes it's necessary

Last night we went to Indianapolis for a Pacers game and dinner. We had been looking forward to it all week. But it didn't go down without a hitch...

We took off at about 4:10 so we could drive, park, and make our way to PF Chang's for our 5:30 dinner reservations. We were about 10 miles away from Indianapolis and Abhay realized we forgot our tickets. We paused for a second trying to figure out what we should do . We knew there was NO way we could make it to eat at Chang's on a Friday night without a reservation...but we also knew it would be almost impossible to eat there and make it to the game. Abhay came up with a great compromise... turn around to go back home and get our tickets, re-do our reservations for 6:30 to eat, and then go to the game a half hour or so late. So that's what we did...turned back around and got the tickets. (basically lost an hour of time)

We arrived at the restaurant at about 6:10. We were told to wait because our table wasn't ready yet (meanwhile other people that had their reservations for 6:30 were sat before us). Finally we were seated after waiting for too long. We were already agitated, since we were trying to make the game. We were seated at a nice table and then 3 minutes later a host game up to us and said, "sorry somebody else with a reservation had requested this table...so we need to move you." He didn't give us a choice, just said "you're moving!" So with groans and unhappiness, we moved.

Upon ordering I asked the waitress to have a manager to come over and speak with us. Normally Abhay and I don't complain, anyone who knows us knows that we're both laid back and it takes a lot to "ruffle our feathers." But we were upset. It gave us a both a very bad first impression of the restaurant and service. I shared this with the manager in a very calm, nice manner. I explained that we both work with the public and understand things happen, but we weren't happy with what happened. He was very nice and understanding. And said he'd do something to "fix it"...

Meanwhile our food came out about 5 minutes after ordering it. (and it was DELICIOUS!!!!!) Before the bill came the manager brought out two free appetizer coupons for our next visit, which we were grateful for. When the bill came, we were both shocked when we saw he'd given us 50% off of our meal...which worked out to be 23 bucks off. It was so very nice that this restaurant made it "right" with us. If they had not done anything, it's very unlikely we would go back...even though the food was amazing. It was nice to be heard. I learned that it's worth saying something when you're not happy with the service you get.

Best of all, we were only 10 minutes late for the game. Thank goodness the restaurant is only 4 blocks away from the bball stadium. We had a blast at the game. We had GREAT seats. :)

--Mandy

Christian the Lion

I learned of a moving video while watching the Oprah show today. It is the story of a lion that was raised by two men, and then set free into the wild. Their reunion is amazing. THIS IS REAL!!! This is a MUST see video (Abhay and I both agree).

Click on the link below
Christian the Lion

Enjoy. Let us know what you think.

--Mandy

Wii Fit

We bought ourselves a fun little gadget this weekend while in Wisconsin visiting our friend Chetan...a Wii Fit.

It's so fun...and is a really good workout. Abhay and I have done it the past 4 days. We really "felt" it after the first day using it. It's nice that it has different types of workouts: balance, aerobics, strength, and yoga. My favorite is the hula-hooping, and Abhay's is probably the ski jumping.

It was a HUGE feat to purchase one. We've been looking at stores since Christmastime...and have had no luck. I would check in the morning sometime, we'd check at night: pretty much checked every time we went into Target or Walmart. No luck. We were in a Best Buy in Kenosha, WI on Saturday night and we looked for one. A worker in the store overheard me and said to check first thing in the morning because they were in the ad and they HAD to have some on the shelf. We got there about 15 minutes after the store opened and the shelf was empty. I waited by the shelf while Abhay went to find someone to ask. While I was waiting there, another gentleman came in looking for one. About 30 seconds after he showed up and store worker came walking up holding one and she said, "who wants this one?!!" The gentleman was nice enough to say, "she was here first..." It felt like we accomplished something big by getting one. I actually felt guilty, and bad for the guy.

Here's a pic of Abhay doing the tightrope activity:

New Job! :)

Mandy here--

I am VERY happy to report I was offered and accepted a teaching position on Friday! :) I will be working for Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp at Fodera Community School. I will be a kindergarten teacher (again, YAY!) working with a group of students that are in danger of not making grade level progress by the end of the year.

This is a temporary position, I'm only guaranteed a job until the end of the school year. I will be only working half days, afternoons. But this gives me two feet, and a arm, in the door of the school corp. I know this will only lead to bigger, and brighter things. Funny enough, I interviewed for 3 (yes 3) different jobs this week. Obviously, this is the one that was on the top of my "I want it..." list. I start tomorrow. I will not start with my group of kids until Monday, March 23. (spring break is March 16-20). This week will be spent doing observations, and getting my classroom/lesson plans set up. It's gonna be b-u-s-y!! :)

I am, needless to say, THRILLED. The past few weeks I have been totally bummed out about subbing. I am excited to have my own classroom, and have a group of students to call my own. I'm happy to know I will have work everyday. Abhay is very happy for me too. I am so very lucky to have such a supportive husband, family, and friends!