Wow...we've been busy. Here's a little recap:

Sunday morning evening all the family left. :( It was sad to say goodbye, but we know we will see them soon. Sunday afternoon we headed out to a WONDERFUL book fair. I could not believe to volume of books. AND CHEAP!! Most books I got for 20 rupees...which is less than 50 cents. We then headed to Lumbini park, a gorgeous park on Hussain Sagar Lake. In the middle of the lake there is a beautiful, huge Buddha statue. We were able to take a boat out to it and see it. Truly breathtaking. We then returned to the park and waited around to see a laser show of the history of Hyderabad. It was very well done, and interesting. I attempted to have my future read by a parrot...but he came up with n0thing. The joke is, I guess I have no future. :) While at the park, I had the cutest little boy come up to me and say, "Excuse me Ma'am but if you don't mind me asking where are you from?" I replied "USA." To which he replied, "Me too!! I live in Kentucky!" Small world...:)

Monday was spent shopping the whole day. Which is one of my favorite things to do...esp. here in India. The US dollar is worth 45 rupees...so it's a GREAT exchange. And everything is very, very cheap here (according to US standards). Abhay and I ordered new glasses...2 pairs forAbhay, and 3 pairs for me. It came out to be 200 dollars. Yes 200 bucks for 5 pairs of glasses. And super funky ones at that....ones we'd never find here. Unbelievable, huh? We visited some very beautiful and modern malls. More modern than any malls I've ever visited in the US. We made some very fun purchases. Monday evening we were invited over to some friends ofAbhay's parents for dinner. A little cultural tidbit--most people don't eat dinner here until around 9-10pm. :)

Tuesday I went to see my very first Bollywood movie in a theater--3 Idiots was the movie. Interesting experience, but fun. Lots of yelling, whistling, screaming, whooping, during the movie. It's also acceptable to have your cell phone on ring and answer it. The movie was GREAT though. Very good story and awesome acting. Tuesday evening we were invited to another friend's house. This time is was BBQ--which was amazing. The couples 21 year old son made it for us. I've never had such tasty BBQ Chicken.

Today, Wednesday will be spent relaxing at home. The city is shutdown due to some political things. But don't worry--it's safe. :)

Buddah

Abhay and his Mom

Me with Abhay's Parents

--MMR

The start of the trip...

We arrived in India on Dec 24th safe and sound. :) Our flights were great...but very long. I've never been quite so happy to get off of an airplane. Abhay is so happy to be "home"! I am happy to be here as well. Thankfully we are over our jet lag....

Christmas eve and Christmas day were spent with family. Abhay's mom, dad, sister Gunjan, her husband Vineet, Vineet's mom and dad, Abhay's Chacha and Chachi (aunt and uncle), and Abhay's Buaji (Aunt) and other various family friends. Christmas was wonderful. Everyone made me feel so special. I am truly blessed to marry into such a wonderful family.

We, of course, have been eating, eating, and eating. I can't even begin to write about all the wonderful food we've had. Abhay and I brought almond bark and no-bake cheesecake mix to make for Christmas dessert. Everyone LOVED the almond bark covered oreos, potato chips, and orange sandwich cookies. The cheesecake was also a hit...something much different from the cheesecake that is served here.

Yesterday I experienced the true India by walking in the middle of the road to the store with Abhay and his dad. It's an experience...let me tell you. I promise to take pictures so it can truly be seen.

Stay tuned for more...

--MMR

We're set!

We are set, packed and ready to take off and fly to the other side of the world on Tuesday. We had some stressful times this week, as far as flights go, but thankfully enough everything worked out. We're VERY excited.

We will fly out Tuesday afternoon bound for the city of Hyderabad. On the way we will stop in Chicago and London. We should arrive in India early Thursday morning (which is Wednesday afternoon eastern time). I'm stocked up on good books and music. :)

Be watching the blog for written and photo updates of our trip. I will try to update this often.

--MMR

Wordless Wednesday

(Our first photo together: March 06)

Disney on Ice

Last night I was able to fullfill one of my childhood wishes...I got to see Disney on Ice. My husband was so sweet to take me to Indianapolis to see it. Disney on Ice is NOT a manly thing. (In return, i've let him watch football ALL day today and not complain) He muddled through it though. I enjoyed it. The skaters could actually skate and it was fun to see all the characters: Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Donald, Daisy, etc... It was also a joy to see how excited kids in the audience were. :)

This morning we were able to meet up with our friends Suresh, Swetha, Ajit, and Sangram for brunch at the new Ihop in town. It's always so fun to see them and chat. The rest of our Sunday was spent getting ready for the week.

Have a good week. Face it with a smile...:)

--MMR

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Our Friday evening was spent decorating our Christmas tree....which is one of my very favorite things to do. We decorated, listened to Christmas music, and after wards we watched The Polar Express. Crazy to admit that I had never seen it before tonight...and I loved it! What a great way to spend a December Friday evening!

Outside of our house decorated for Christmas

Our tree :) :)

--MMR

Thanksgiving

I know a Thanksgiving report is long overdue....so here goes....

We had a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving with my mom, dad, brother Brad, "auntie" Laurel, and "uncle" Lyndon. They drove 900 miles from Minnesota to Indiana to spend thanksgiving with us. They were here 6 days...and I loved every second of it. We chatted (a lot), drank coffee (a lot of it), ate LOTS of yummy food, watched movies, shopped, played games, and we showed them around Columbus, Indianapolis, and Taylorsville (where I work). I am postive a good time was had by all. But like always, I was so sad to see them go. I never know when I will see my family again and that breaks my heart. But I'm glad to know they are always a plane ride away.

Abhay and I cooked the whole Thanksgiving meal by ourselves. We had turkey, ham, potato sausage (a scandniavian sausage that my mom and dad brought to Indiana from Minnesota), mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, lots of veggies, sweet potatoes, 2 different salads, and tasty bread. I also made 2 pumpkin pies, 1 coconut cream pie, 1 apple pie, and a peacan pie. I am pleased to report that everything turned out perfectly!!! :) :) Oh and I almost forgot Abhay, my mom, Lyndon and Laurel made Lefse (click on it for more info). We eat ours with sugar and butter. MMMMMM

Abhay making Lefse

The Thanksgiving Bunch

Mmmmm, pies!

--MMR