Trip Preparations...wax on....wax off

Just a little update before I leave on my big trip.

I've been busy shopping and packing. Packing and shopping. Today I loaded up on all types of stomach remedies...just in case. You name the symptoms, I probably bought the cure. I'm trying not to be overly paranoid. But can you really be overly paranoid when going to a third world country?

Since Indian women are more beauty conscious than most Americans I know, Husband suggested I do a little "fine tuning". I went to this great place called InSpa and had many areas waxed. The results were amazing. I might even be brave enough to go back in the future and who knows, maybe add more services. I know what you are thinking C. and I'll never be brave enough to add that one.

Husband's sister has been emailing me. She writes decent English. I now have hope that I will be able to communicate somewhat with her in English.

Our next wedding ceremony will take place on 04/29, which is considered a very holy day on the Hindu calendar. It still hasn't been decided if a party will take place. The option of having a party at a hotel or hall has been ruled out for that day because everything is booked due to the holiness of the day. Very popular wedding day. If we are having a party I was told to expect a minimum of 200 people. And that would be considered small. I'm leaving the potential party plans to everyone else. I'll just show up and stand there with a smile on my face not knowing what the fuck is happening around me.
One thing I am excited about is that before the ceremony I will get decorated with henna on my hands and feet. I will post pictures my friends, don't worry.

That's about all for now. I'll be back.

Trip On

Husband and I booked our trip to India today. We leave next Saturday for 18 days. I can't even believe I'm going! Next week will be my cram session for learning as much Hindi & Marathi as possible. My big, fat Indian wedding is scheduled for April 29. Hmmm...just 29 days from our real anniversary. His family has no idea that we are really married so we get to continue this lie for the rest of our lives. Actually it won't be a big, fat wedding. But I was told that the ceremony will last 2.5 hours and be conducted entirely in Sanskrit. I will have access to a computer over there so maybe I'll be able to update everyone during the trip. So stay tuned for stories. I'm sure I will have stories. Tons of stories and pictures.
God help me.

More Spice Than Sugar

Happy Birthday Norah-Kate! You are 2 today! It seems like just yesterday when I made your mommy eat a lot of spicy food, climb stairs and power walk to induce labor. It didn't work. You were supposed to be born on my birthday but you wanted your own.
Your auntie loves you anyway.

Tiptoe Through The Tulips

Taken on Friday for MK, who loves tulips as much as I do!

I Love Sprinkles!

Thank You C. & Cory for the wonderful birthday surprise! Sorry it took me a week to post the picture of my very successful birthday cupcakes. They were just like the real thing! These are the vanilla ones. I'm saving the chocolate for a special occasion.
You guys are the best!

My Fcuked Up Family Member

Is it safe to assume I can in good faith write off my brother at this point?
Let me know if I'm wrong.
His birthday is 4 days before mine.
On his birthday I sent him a birthday email and explained that his present was late due to my home confinement from the surgery.
He replied to my email with "happy early birthday to you."
The very next day I went to the post office and sent his gift priority.
Husband would shit a brick if he knew I even sent a gift, after the stunts he and his pseudo-wife pulled while in our town last month.
As someone who only has one sibling, I felt guilty not sending anything at all.
As someone who realizes people make mistakes in life, I felt guilty not sending anything at all.
My parents called me on my birthday. They asked me who all I had heard from all day.
I rattled off everyone's name.
Curious. Someone was missing.
Your brother didn't call you??? asked my mother.
No he did not.
It has been five days.
Never mind that he did not grace me with a phone call on that day.
Why would he call me anyway? He doesn't even call when we are in the same town.
Never mind that I have not yet received a card.
I don't even want a gift.
A simple email that he received the gift I sent would really be appreciated.
But I've got nothing here.
He must be in a galaxy far, far away...lost in the Solar system.

Yes, Again

This will come as no surprise to some of you.
However, I'm not sure why I was surprised early this morning when my phone rang. It was my dad calling. As usual when he calls me at an "off" time I went into panic mode (who's sick or dying?). He was just calling to let me know the news (which I already knew) and make sure I was following the story: A Tsunami. Near Australia. Specifically the Solomon Islands. He wanted to make sure I was on high alert here (because I live so close to the Solomon Islands????). I informed him that yes, I had heard. I also heard a tsunami warning had originally been issued for Hawaii but was canceled. It was canceled for Hawaii which I believe is at least a 3 hour flight from here. Once again, I'm no physicist, oceanographer or scientist of any kind. But I just don't imagine that I'm in any danger of being washed away by a tsunami from where I live. I told him AGAIN that I don't even live near water. I got him calmed down and off the phone. Then I called my grandmother and told her once again about her crazy son. Perhaps next time I hear about a tsunami I should call him first and let him know I'm right on it.
My surfboard is right by the front door.