Holi re Holi puranachi poli

Today was holi - started off with a small celebration at Washington House and then migrated over towards some friends' colony where there was an all out battle of the colors! Tons of fun, although Steve may end up going to work wearing a hat tomorrow!

Crossing the hump...

So I turned forty this - in Singapore! It was a calculated trip - didn't want to be in Mumbai for it so went further east. Had an amazing birthday - breakfast with orangutans at the world class Singapore zoo and then an amazing dinner of raclette, galettes, and crepes at a tiny French bistro that we happened upon during a monsoon-like shower. An awesome trip and fabulous birthday. I almost forgot I turned old!

The backwaters

Spent a very relaxing four days in Kerala - god's country to some. It was amazing. Highly recommend the Taj Garden Retreat. Lots of activities for everyone and kind of reminded us of the Dirty Dancing resort because they had evening activies and Mr. Ravi, the Julie McCoy of the resort, on hand to marshal everyone around!

Happy 2010!

We started the new year with a short trip to the "Golden Triangle" - Delhi, Agra (Taj Mahal), and Jaipur. It was FREEZING and we were unprepared, but had a great time anyway. The Taj was phenomenal - despite the fog and overcast weather. Would consider a return trip on a clear day. The Amber Fort in Jaipur was beyond belief - the elephant ride up the side of the hill to get there and then the sheer size and detail of the buildings. Awe inspiring and really made us forget we were in a tourist-packed attraction.

Merry Christmas (2009!)

A great day all around...shared with family and friends! Santa found us in Mumbai, much to Liam's relief!

Getting ready for the big day!

Liam's class had a holiday party on the last day of school - the same day that Grandma arrived. He's beein having a blast and they've been doing all sorts of things together - including constructing a gingerbread house!

Ho ho ho!

We attended the Consulate's children's party this year and made an ornament and decroated cookies. Santa was, of course, the big hit of the day!

Robin Hood with a Queenly Presence

Liam's school put on a fabulous play this evening - the story of Robin Hood set to the music of Queen. Liam played the part of a Royal Guard. A wonderful evening, made more memorable, perhaps, by the fact that the school served beer to the parents before AND after the show (it IS the German school, after all....).

Happy Thanksgiving...and St. Martin's Day...

Had a quiet but very nice Thanksgiving this year (compared to last year's events, ANYTHING would have been better, of course. Small turkey dinner with new friend and colleague Cathleen, and then headed off to school for the St. Martin's Day lantern festival. Liam made a lantern and paraded around the school garden and then ate sweetbread in the shape of the Saint himself.

Baby it's cold outside!

Had the opportunity to shoot off to Portsmouth, New Hampshire for a conference. I think the corridor between Boston and Portsmouth MUST have the world's highest contcentration of Dunkin' Donuts (and anectdotal evidence suggests our Consulate in Mumbai processes the highest number of Dunkin' Donuts worker visas).

After the conference, I met Colleen in Boston for a girls' weekend. Amazing to enjoy fabulous company, cold weather, plenty o' Starbucks, and some Christmas shopping.

Happy Halloween...

Finally catching up a bit on posts. Camera died on Halloween morning so relying on the generosity of friendds to provide to goods. Great party with lots of fun activities for the kids including bobbing for donuts (more hygienic than apples) and a visit by Darth Vader. Liam was Ben 10 for the day - finally had to wrestle a very sweaty boy out of the costume at bedtime. He attended a party on our roof and then went trick or treating to the nine apartments here. Fast but managed to feel like Halloween despite the 90 degree temperatures and lack of real pumpkins.

Liam's First Day of Year 1

Liam started school today, belatedly due to swine flu closures. It's a German tradition to present year 1 students with a "cone", filled with school supplies and treats, so earlier in the year I got together with some other parents to craft this one. Cones were presented, songs were sung, and Liam was beaming as he ripped into his. The kids were practically pushing parents out of the classroom so they could get started. A great day!

The best vacation ever...

Just returned from four weeks of hols...whirlwind tour of Paris, Darlo, the Lakes, Kelso, Edinburgh, and London. A good time was most certainly had by all. Highlights included Euro Disney and the Fringe, as well as the many, many playgrounds Europe has to offer...

Stay tuned for more pics!

Happy Mum's Day

The CG hosted consulate families for a Mother's Day brunch with consulate guys doing the cheffing. Although I enjoyed a delicious French toast breakfast courtesy of Liam and Steve earlier in the morning, we went and had a fab time...