Dec 7, 2008

Thursday it was time for me to FINALLY go to the dentist. I've been dealing with a painful, and cracked abscess tooth since last February. I really, really, really dislike going to the dentist so I kept putting it off. A few weeks ago my tooth cracked to the point that I had a whole in my mouth when I smiled, so I knew it was time. I sat through a very uncomfortable, although not painful, root canal. The dentist then did an impression for a crown on that tooth. While taking the impression what was left of my tooth fell out. So he had to "start over again" and insert a rod into my gums...and three hours after I walked in I left the office with a "fake tooth" I'll go back next week to get properly fitted for a crown... YUCK!

Yesterday Abhay had a job to do. We finally purchased a pair of wire cutters and Abhay took down the "duck fence" under the workbench in the garage. It's so nice to have that open. We can fit SO many more items under it. He also straighted up the garage and made room for the new chest freezer we purchased today (thanks dad!!). Yesterday evening we went downtown Columbus and checked out an Electric Lights Christmas parade. It was very neat!! When the parade started the weather was awesome, but by the middle of it the wind picked up and it got quite chilly (nothing compared to Minnesota though). But, we made it through. Afterwards we met up with our friends Shiva/Sheetal, Ajit, Sangram, and others for a late dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings and went to a movie. It was good to catch up with friends. We're so thankful to have friends here in Columbus that feel like family.

--Mandy

Photos

I promised a few weeks ago to post a few of pictures from our photo shoot, so here they are. These are my three favorites.

Thanksgiving

We had a fantastic time in Minnesota with my family for Thanksgiving. We ate a TON, got rested up, watched movies, drank lots of coffee with my mom and dad, and did a whole lot of Christmas shopping. It was a great 4 days, but went by so very fast. It made us both realize yet again that we really miss being near family. But we'll be headed back there Dec 20-Jan 4.

Travel home was horrid. Our plane from left 2 hours late from Fargo and then we were stuck in Chicago for 7.5 hours. But everyone was in the same boat, weather this side of the Mississippi was bad everywhere. We were scheduled to make it home at 4pm...but got home at 3am instead. Abhay was able to go into work late, and I took the day off. :)

--Mandy

Thank you

A very dear friend of mine, well ours, had my worst fear happen to her on Sunday--she lost her dad. I feel so very sad for her and her family. After hearing of this awful news I put in my mind to be extra thankful for the people I have in my life.

I'm so grateful for all the people that I have "on my side."--I have so many. These people are scattered all over the US and world. I'm so thankful for the people that love me unconditionally. I'm grateful for people that support me, even in some of my not-so-smart decisions. I have so many "cheerleaders" out there--for that I can never say thank you enough. I'm thankful for people that know the right words to say (that may be over the phone, in a text, in an email, facebook, etc...) when I truly need to hear them. I'm thankful for people that can be honest with me--even if it's done in tough love. I'm thankful for the people in my life that can make me smile or laugh. I'm also beyond grateful for those people that I have in my life that will listen to me cry, whine, and complain.

I consider myself to be beyond lucky to have so many wonderful people in my life. Thank you all for what you have added to my life. I consider myself to be a "rich woman" because of you.

Lights

Yesterday we put up all our outdoor Christmas decorations. I know, I know. A bit early. But we don't have them lit, and won't until Sunday night when we get back from MINNESOTA!!! We wanted to do it this weekend...otherwise it would have to wait until the first weekend in Dec. We picked a chilly day to do it. But nothing compared to MN. We had issues with our snowman. Our first one didn't work after taking 1/2 hour to put it together. We hauled it back to Target, still put together, and picked up a different one. Thank goodness our second one worked.

The house lit up...

Abhay mid-decorating.

Last night we also went to the movie theater and saw the movie Twilight. I LOVED it. Something totally different. Abhay thought it was "just ok". haha!! Now I'm itchin' to read the book series.

As I mentioned before, we're headed to Minnesota for Thanksgiving. We'll be flying out of Indianapolis EARLY Thursday morning, and returning Sunday night. I'm so very excited to go back to Minnesota for the first time after moving. I'm looking forward to spending time with my family and seeing some friends.

I know the heart of life is good...

I was subbing in an art classroom today. Which means I had 5 different groups of students for an hour each. My very first class of the day was a group of 5th grade students. There was a boy in the class with some special needs, I could tell that right off the bat. I went through the activity and set them to work on a project. As they were working I noticed how wonderful another "macho" 5th grade boy was to this student with special needs. He was so sensitive, so sweet, so patient. As I was "watching" and over hearing what they were talking about a lump started to form in my throat. It was so wonderful to watch generosity and kindness acted out in front of my eyes. As I was taking a shower this evening the song "I know the heart of life is good" by John Mayer shuffled through on my iPod. It was the perfect song to hear after what I experienced today. Here's a bit of it:

...pain throws your heart to the ground
love turns the whole thing around
fear is a friend who's misunderstood
but i know the heart of life is good.

Another neat experience happened in the afternoon with a 3rd grade class. There was a little Indian boy in the class that I could CLEARLY tell had not lived in the US very long. I went up to him towards the end of the hour and asked. "How long have you been in the US?" He replied with, "3 weeks!" I then asked him "where did you live in India?" He replied with "Pune." I looked at him and said, "COOOOOL, that's where my husband went to college at!" (which Abhay did, that's where he got his undergrad degree at) I have never, ever, ever in my whole life seen a child smile so huge. He was so clearly THRILLED that I knew about Pune. Next I told him. "I've been to India. I been to Hyderabad. Do you know about Hyderabad? " He looked at me again with that huge grin and said, "Snow World is in Hyderabad!! I've been there."
I think I made his day, and he sorta made mine...

First snowfall...

It happened. We knew it was going to happen sooner or later...

It snowed yesterday!

We were sitting in the living room chillin' out late last evening after having our friend Suresh over for dinner. I kept hearing this sound. A weird sound that was creeping me out. It sounded like some animal was in our trash can. Abhay investigated all over the kitchen and found nothing. Then it occurred to us, like a light bulb turning on, "the snow is hitting the glass door!" We opened up the door and it was a beautiful sight. I always LOVE the first snowfall.




Of course, people here already have their winter gear out...hats, gloves, heavy coats. Abhay and I went to Wal-Mart, Menard's, and Target today wearing hooded sweatshirts. And felt quite comfortable. :)