Oh yeah, alright, Are you going to be in my dreams tonight?

These lyrics seem to be fitting for our final blontry about India. First, they are the opening stanza of a song by the Beatles entitled “The End”; likewise, this finalizes the end of our India adventure. Second, this was the last known song recorded by all four of the Beatles, the end of an era; likewise, these seems like the end of an era for us. Third, I have already had “India Dreams” and expect there will be more before I am through. Finally, I have entitled every blontry with the lyrics of a song and I couldn’t find any that I thought were a better fit, so there you have it.

We have been back in the US five days now. The time has flown by. I really haven’t had much time to synthesize our time in India, I have been too occupied with the details of the transition. I do some of my best thinking while talking or writing, so perhaps this blontry will be the synthesis.

I don’t think there were any overarching themes that unify our time in India. I guess I’ll approach it from both professional and personal standpoints.

Professionally, our time in India was a great challenge and a great experience. Some of the readers of this blog will know that one of the focuses of my doctoral program was culture indigenous and organizational. My dissertation focused on high performing teams in three countries, including India. Additionally, I had been traveling and working in India since 2002. I was not prepared for the challenges I faced as a “gora” managing an Indian organization. 

First there was language. English is one of the official languages of India; all educated Indians speak and understand it; I don’t believe I was in one meeting where the entire discussion occurred in English. From my observation, for most educated Indians, normal verbal communication is combination of English, Hindi (and/or the language of their home state) and a mélange of English/Hindi/other Indian language. Sometimes they use English words in Hindi sentences; sometimes the other way around; sometimes they’ll speak for a few minutes in English, switch to Hindi, then back as it seems appropriate to the context. I learned to understand a little by the end of our time in India, but I am sure I missed a lot of content, and more particularly subtext, because of my lack of fluency. I learned some Hindi, but I was quite disappointed in myself about how little.

It is dangerous to speak of a country’s culture, particularly in one as vast and with as many separate ethnic groups as India, but there were aspects to the typical manifestations of Indian culture that were challenging for me. First, India is considered a high power distance culture. This means there is a greater acceptance of overt differences in power and privileges than we typically are comfortable with in the United States. I found it challenging to see the vast differences in wealth, power and influence. Leaders are shown deference (use of honorifics, standing when one enters, carrying one’s briefcase, etc.) than I was use to or that ever became totally comfortable for me. There is often an expectation that a manager will give guidance to all aspects of a person’s life, not just related to work. There also seemed to be too much work done to make the boss happy rather than because it was the right thing to do.

The observance of time and timeliness was another area that was challenging for me. Indians, prize punctuality but honor it more in the breach than in practice. If a meeting was scheduled to start at 10:00, that is when people would start wrapping up whatever they were doing and head to the meeting. So, it was not unusual to be 15 minutes into a meeting before even the majority of participants would actually arrive. Another difference is we in the US tend to view time sequentially and despite our desire to multi-task we tend to keep events separate. If we are in a meeting, we would not take a phone call unless it was urgent. We would not interrupt a meeting, again, unless it was a critical, time sensitive matter. In India, taking a phone call during a meeting; even during a critical part of a meeting is not unusual. Neither is it unusual for someone to walk into a meeting or appointment to get some work or another completed. I think it drove people crazy that I would not answer my phone during a meeting or appointment. I know it bothered me when they had no hesitancy in doing so.

Another aspect of culture that is quite different between India and the United States is the degree to which fate is believed to determine outcome. Most everyone knows of the caste system, which although now illegal, still has a tremendous impact on one’s role and standing in society. Ideally, one was supposed to fulfill the expectations that came with one’s caste without criticism and without complaining. This was the way to have a more favorable life in the next reincarnation. For me, this led to too high a degree of complacency with the norm and an unwillingness to try and make changes. A token effort would be made, but if it didn’t work, “oh well, it was not meant to be.”

There are aspects of Indian culture that I found more comfortable for me than the typical US culture. First, because India is more of a collectivist than an individualist culture, there was more concern for others, at least for one’s in group and extended family. I was very comfortable with that – more so than I am with the “rugged individualist” that typifies US culture. I am sure that is while I grew up in the US, I also grew up as a member of collectivist church where concern for the whole is also as important, and for some more important, than the concerns of the individual. I loved and admired the traditional concern for and support of family.

Another aspect of Indian culture that I valued was its openness to spirituality and discussion of all things spiritual. I was particularly surprised by how often spiritual discussions came up at work. At first I was hesitant to know how much to say. I have been fairly well socialized to avoid saying anything that would lead others to believe I was trying to convert them. What I found was overall an acceptance of a spiritual aspect to work and a willingness to discuss their beliefs and the beliefs of others in an open and non-judgmental way. I was able to be more open with and honest about my spirituality and its importance to me than in any work situation I have found myself in the US.

There are hundreds more observations I could make about working in India. I found it very challenging at times. I was asked to create a US organization within India. While it is possible to create an organizational culture that is different from the national culture within which that organization exists. I think it takes longer than 2 ½ years and the efforts of one person to do that successfully. Perhaps we made some changes that will last and make the organization more effective in the long term.

As I thought about what to write about my how India affected me personally, it occurred to me most of this blog over the last two and half years addresses that already. I am also sure that many of the same issues and challenges I have discussed relative to my professional life also impacted my personal life. I think the thing that I enjoyed the most were the people. We made some tremendous friends during our time in India, I will always cherish those relationships and the memories of our time together. There are things I didn’t care for: traffic, dirt, pollution, poverty, and so forth. Rather than dwell on that, I would like to wrap up with the positives.

I love the food, music, clothing, art, architecture, and history of India. I found truths in the holy and cultural writings and teaching that spoke to me and resonated with other truth I have discovered. I love the natural beauty of much of the country and wish I had been able to spend more time up North in the mountains and in the South and on the coast where it was naturally more lush and green. As noted above, I was challenged by the language and wish I had made a concentrated effort to learn Hindi better than I did. What I did learn, both verbal and written fascinated me.

I will probably never live in India again, but I am glad we did for these two and half years. Visiting again is a definite possibility.

Namaste

God be with you ‘til we meet again…

“That which we persist in doing becomes easier to do, not that the nature of the thing has changed but that our power to do has increased.”  -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

If Emerson was correct, we should be practically perfect at saying goodbye. This week has been a series of separations and farewells: people we have met, at work, and at church. As much as we are excited to be home and be with family, it is sad to say goodbye to people that have become very dear to us. I have learned to never say never, but the probability is high we will not see most of these people again in this life. Maybe we’ll come back some day, but it is not the most likely future. Perhaps we will meet one or two of them in the US or somewhere else, but it is not the outcome with the highest probability. Most likely is that our contact with people through social media and emails will gradually decrease until it falls away, perhaps with the exception of one or two. Too bleak? Sorry, but it is that probability that has tinged every goodbye this week.

Professionally, this week has been mostly about wrapping up loose ends of projects that I have been working on; organizing paperwork and files; and (see above) saying goodbye. Most of that was unremarkable. If it wasn’t for Friday, if I hadn’t gone into the office at all, I don’t think it would have made a difference.

Friday was different – well kinda different. A lot of what I did Friday could fall in the category of wrapping up loose ends. However, they were more interactive, more conversations rather than writing reports. I have been needing to meet Charu and Rajive for conversational handover on a few points. This probably should have been an hour or two meeting. However it took twice that. Additionally, I have been trying for three weeks to arrange a meeting between my primary contact at the US embassy and Charu and Rajive. Finally, we all agreed on lunch on Friday. It was a good meeting with several new ideas raised and a few outstanding issues resolved. It also served as a nice interlude between the ongoing handover meeting that started at 10:00 and ended at 5:00 (you remember, the one that should have only taken an hour or two).

The meeting might still be going on and certainly ended when it did only because there were 150 – 200 people waiting in the auditorium for us. The assembly was a two-fer. One, the student association took the opportunity to launch a new logo and slogan. Second, the students and staff threw a farewell event? Activity? Party? Not sure what the best term would be. There were a few formal remarks by me, Charu, Rajive, and the head of the student association. Then a group of students sang a song in my honor mixed with an original rap performed by one student. There were gifts given, and then the student who was conducting opened it to whomever would like to make a comment – like a wake, or a testimony meeting. There were many who came forward. I thing it took longer than the organizers had anticipated. Then, of course there were refreshments. I didn’t get any of the refreshments (not that I needed them) because I was overwhelmed by constant barrage of students and staff who wanted his/her/their pictures with me. It was kind of a paparazzi moment trying to switch my eyes and attention back, forth, and around to one of the many people taking pictures.

In the end, it was the end. I packed up my laptop, turned off the lights in my office and walked off.

I haven’t achieved everything I wanted to when I started two and half years ago, but I am proud of what we did accomplish. I don’t know if success will come in the next few years as we have envisioned, but if it does, I think it will primarily be because of the foundation we have laid.

That’s me. Here’s Rae.

My week was also a week of farewells, maybe slightly different than Phil’s, but farewells none the less.  My farewells for most of the week centered on belongings.  There were the things that were being sorted and organized for the sea shipments, then the things for air shipment, then the items that we were not taking with us and needed to find new homes for.  Most anything that plugged into an outlet had to go.  That meant the microwave, toaster, blender, mixer, phones, heaters, geyser, hair blower, curling iron, power cords, printer, hair clippers, washing machine, and whatever else I’ve forgotten.  I’m writing this blog sitting in an empty house with 4 suitcases waiting to fly out tomorrow night. Right now I’m glad this is a furnished flat so we’re not sitting and sleeping on the floor.

The hardest farewells by far were the ones that took place yesterday and today.  Yesterday Phil and I had lunch with Vandana and Christina one last time.  Christina I will see again tomorrow, but Vandana I probably won’t see again anytime soon.  Today was our last time in the branch and it was hard to say goodbye to all these people that have been so warm and accepting of us.  We spent a bit of time after church having pictures taken and giving those final hugs.  It was hard, but I surprised myself by mostly keeping my emotions in check.  The thing that makes all this bearable is what we know is waiting for us at the other end.  Family and friends in the US, here we come!

Here are a few pictures of some of our goodbyes.

Namaste!

Remember, remember, walking in the sand….

Well there was a little walking in the sand but not too much. We were having too much fun otherwise.

This is a couple of days late. By the time we got home from Goa on Sunday night, there was little energy and less enthusiasm for writing the blog. However, not to bury the lede, the trip to Goa was definitely a success. Am I 100% pain free? No. Are my joints totally free from inflammation? No. On the other hand, I am moving much better and have no need for a cane. I am off all meds except the Ayurvedic herbs and a couple of Advil or Aleve a day. Dr. Uppoor said I should continue to see improvement on the swelling and discomfort over the next few weeks and he anticipates that by the end of three to four months I will be symptom free. Actually he said cured but I remain a bit of a sceptic. I am not yet convinced you can cure auto immune. There is plenty of evidence it can go into remission, however, and if I can achieve and maintain that, it is a functional full recovery.

Each day’s treatment was quite similar (for details, see last week's entry). Occasionally, they would add in slow drip of warm oil along the hairline, allowing the oil to flow across the scalp. This was very relaxing and enjoyable but I am not sure exactly how it impacted my auto immune, but it felt great. The other changes were less pleasurable. Part of the treatment was a cleanse. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday started with drinking an increasing amount of gee (clarified butter) infused with herbs. The first day was about a quarter cup; second was about a half; and the third day was a full cup. All I can say is blech! The taste was awful and it lingered for quite a while. Friday and Saturday my cleanse was kicked up a notch to enemas. Now that was fun too in its own inimitable way.

I will say I have gone into the Ayurvedic treatment with something like a mix of blind faith and skepticism. I have moved a long way from my former belief that only traditional, western, allopathic medicine had value to offer but I am not ready to totally abandon western medicine yet. I am a pragmatist I guess. If it works, great. I am for it. There is a lot about Ayurvedic underlying philosophy that seems more like magic than medicine. I haven’t bought into that entirely. However, one of the things that I do find interesting is the similarity to how Ayurveda describes the origin of auto immune disease and the latest research by those in functional medicine.

In Ayurveda, the underlying cause of diseases such as mine is seen as stemming from malperformance of the stomach and intestines. Because things are not processed correctly, toxins are released into the blood stream that can settle any number of places and cause problems. If they settle into the joints, you end up with symptoms like mine. This is quite similar to the description of “leaky gut” that is currently (although somewhat controversial) being studied by MDs who specialize in functional medicine. The build-up in the joints of what Ayurveda calls toxins is quite similar to the description of inflammation causing fluids that attacks and builds up in different parts of the body, which is kind of a typical description of what goes on in auto immune.

In any case, improvement for now, which I will gladly accept. Now I need to continue my efforts to lose weight and when I get back to the States start an exercise program that won’t bring too much impact to my joints.

Rae Here.  While our time in Goa didn’t end up being the sightseeing adventure we’d anticipated, be were still able to get a few pictures and have a bit of time on the beach.

I’ll start by explaining a bit about our hotel.  We stayed at a hotel that our Dr had recommended.  He thought it would be good because it had a kitchen and that would give us the chance to cook some of our own food.  Nice idea, and the kitchen looked right, it just didn’t come equipped with anything, not a glass, spoon, pot; well you get the idea. We had no idea where to buy any food so I guess it really wasn’t a problem.  We also had a living room area, called a hall, a bedroom and 1 ½ bathrooms.  A fairly decent place but lacking in a few areas.  We were given 2 bath towels, no hand towels or wash clothes, one bar of soap, and one tiny shampoo.  

They had a pretty good looking menu, but almost every time we ordered something, they would call us back to tell us that one or two of those items were not available.  This made some things a bit tough, because there were certain things Phil wasn’t supposed to eat so it made our choices pretty limited at times.  I could share several other fun/funny experiences with room service.  There was “free Wi-Fi” when it was available.  We had to get a new password every 3 days but we soon learned that we needed to have them write them down because you had to continually keep logging-in, and that was on a good day.  Getting the password written down was also pretty funny.  No one has any paper or scissors, so they would find some scrap of paper and then tear off a corner and write the password on that, Hotel stationary or note pads, you joke.  I will say that the staff was always helpful and friendly. 

Driving from the airport to the hotel took just over an hour and so we were able to see a few things along the way.  Early on, this area had had a large Portuguese influence and so there were many Catholic churches, some very old and some new, some were very small and some large and stunning.  That seems so different from what we see in Delhi. 

There was an area where they were working on widening the road and it was the usual sight of many workers, both men and women.  There they were with their little hoe shovels clearing and breaking up the ground, digging out and hauling boulders.  I wasn’t able to get pictures of this process, but off our balcony we could see a lot that was being cleared and prepared for a building.  Same process of many workers moving earth and rock.  I did manage to get a few pictures of that process, just got there right after most of those workers had left the sight.  Notice the guy carrying the boulder on his shoulder. 

We did finally make it down to the beach.  It was cloudy and rained on us so most of the pictures look a bit gloomy.  It’s interesting to share the beach with quite a few cows, but that’s what you get to do there. In fact we watched 3 bulls tussling with each other.  They made their way down toward the water and into the crowds of people who were sitting on the sand and at the water’s edge.  The people weren’t too fazed, they just got up and moved aside.  Luckily no one was trampled.  There are always so many more men than women but there were a few women.  No women in swim suits, maybe a few in shorts, women in sarees standing in the water.  One young couple that we guessed were on their honeymoon as the bride was sitting in the water’s edge with all of her red wedding bangles up both arms.   Everyone seemed to be having a good carefree time. 

Goa is warm/hot and humid, so that equals lots of green tropical beauty.  Goa has much less traffic than Delhi and seemed to have a slower pace of life.  There was still trash, but overall less than Delhi, and no pollution.  It was fun to see a new area, but the best part was the end result for Phil. The rest was just a bonus.     

Next week will be our last blontry from India.

      

Namaste 

Will make him glisten, And gleam, and with massage, And just a little bit of steam...

Well, we are in Goa for my Ayurvedic treatment as we discussed last week, but it looks like nothing much else is going to go the way we thought. We had hoped to go to Tokyo and see Mike and Sheryl Jones on the way home. Nope, that‘s not going to happen. When we actually got the price for a three day layover through Tokyo, the tickets were about four thousand dollars more than the cheapest direct flight and we would have to have paid the difference. We thought we were going to Rishikesh. Nope, that’s not going to happen. Rae pointed out that whilst we have high hopes for the treatment we don’t know for sure how it will all turn out. She pointed out that it probably wasn’t the smartest idea to spend a couple of days in the car, on India’s bumpy roads, and then immediately turn around and spend 30 hours flying back to Portland.  So, instead of all of that, we are just going home. We leave India Tuesday the 8^th at 3:30 in the morning and will arrive in Portland Tuesday the 8^th at 1:30 PM. It’s getting pretty real.

So we got to Goa Friday evening and checked into our hotel. Saturday morning I started my treatment. I probably will not do it justice, but I will try to capture this week and next what I go through. So, without further ado, here we go.

After the initial formalities, or rather informalities (so unlike US treatment; no paperwork; no white lab coats; no sterile office furniture). I was taken upstairs to the treatment room. Once there I was told to remove my clothes and given what I can best describe as a paper jock strap. Putting on this fetching ensemble, I laid down on a wooden table (about the size of massage table) that has a carved out indented top with about a three inch pad in it. Once I laid down, two strapping young men started working on me. First they did assisted stretches, wherein each of the muscles and joints of my body was taken to the maximum stretch possible and held there. It is a pretty painful process; the only part of the treatment that is actually uncomfortable. Not surprisingly, my surgically repaired shoulders, my hamstrings (which have always been notoriously tight), and of course my knees and hands that are most attacked by the auto immune disease) were the most painful.

After the initial stage, the two started a brisk, invigorating, medium pressure, full body massage. Each one took a side. They started by putting warm, herb infused oil on my body then they massaged the top half of me, then the bottom half of me, then started a process that started at my feet, went up my body, across my shoulders, down my arms, and then back down to my feet. They carried on this circuit for a while and then they focused on my wrists and hands, and then ankles and feet. Then they went back to the full body circuit. They completed this several times and then had me roll over to my stomach and followed the same process on my back.

After that process was completed, they had me turn over on my back again. One of them did a face and scalp massage. Once this was completed they wrapped me in the cloth that had been on top of the matted table and took me to a steam box in which I sat with everything but my head enclosed. When my steam was complete they wiped the sweat, steam, and oil off my body and I got dressed. The whole process took about two hours and were the same both days except today, after the scalp massage, he poured heated oil onto my forehead at about the scalp line which then ran down my head and was caught in a basin. Very relaxing. The first day, I was pretty done in by the treatment. Today was better. I was a little sore and tired but I rebounded more quickly.

In addition to the massages, I am on a vegetarian diet (only during the treatment) and taking herbs before and after meals. These are for the most parts natural anti-inflamatories. I am not sure what else is to come, but I understand that it involves GI cleanses and suppositories. I can’t wait. If I was asked if I think the treatment is helping, while acknowledging it is only two days, I would say I am hopeful.

Well, that’s it for me. Here’s Rae.

I don’t have a lot to add.  I, like Phil, am hopeful that this is going to be successful, that would be a huge blessing.  The idea of Phil needing to be on traditional meds for the rest of his life is hard to think about.   There are so many side effects from the drugs.  They require constant monitoring of the kidneys and liver, two areas that suffer from these drugs.  We are hoping that after a couple more days he will be feeling better and we will have the opportunity to see a few sights of Goa.

 I’m trying to take this time to rest and relax before we get back to the rush and chaos of the actual move.  We get back to Delhi Sunday night, the 30^th.  Monday I have to start the process of sorting out the items that will be air shipped and the things we will carry with us.  The rest will go slow boat, and arrive in 2-3 months.  The movers will pack us on Friday (4^th) and load us Saturday (5^th).  We will camp in our flat until we fly out Tuesday morning (8^th) at 3AM.  We are definitely on the countdown.

Hoping our next blog, and last blog from India, has wonderful news to report.

      

Namaste 

So tell me what is our ending, Will it be beautiful?

We have started having our “lasts”. Today may well have been our last service at Delhi 1^st Branch. We have three more Sundays (or so) in India, but the next two Sundays we will be in Goa for my Ayurvedic treatment. We haven’t decided for sure, but the first Sunday in September we have discussed going to Rishikesh. If everything after that goes according to our tentative plan we will be in Tokyo the second Sunday in September. Then we will be home. It somehow doesn’t all seem real.

Since this may be our last Sunday here, they asked us to bear our testimonies. It was emotional to look out at the congregation. I have come to love these people. I expect there will be times I miss this or that about India; I am confident I will miss the people. Some in particular have become true brothers and sisters. We talk about seeing each other again, but realistically I am not sure that will happen in this world.

Quickly changing subject to keep from getting too emotional…. Yesterday was India Independence Day. We spent most of the day sorting our belongings into those we will take on the plane with us, those we will air freight so they’ll get there soon after we arrive, and those we will put on a slow boat from Chi… err, India. So our Independence Day activity was limited to the student activity at the campus on Friday. The students planned and conducted everything. I planned on only staying for 30 minutes or so but it was so fun that I was there for the whole program. Students sang songs, did dances, and made speeches about India and its Independence. What was most impressive to me was the degree to which students from countries other than India participated. We sometimes have trouble integrating all of our nationalities but Friday it seemed to happen effortlessly.

Here are a few pictures:

Here’s Rae!

As mentioned above, today was a bit emotional.  For almost 2½ years we’ve built friendships and watched these people’s lives change and progress.  When we first arrived at the branch there were basically 2 small children, Rachel and Aalisha.  They were both about 1-1½.  They are now 3 and 4.  There were quite a few young single adults and it was baffling and frustrating to watch them, just sort of flounder, as they faced so many prejudices and traditions that seemed to stand in their way when it came to being able to get married and move their lives forward.  I think we’ve talked previously about some of those things.  Families against love marriages; one part of India not accepting another part; economic differences; skin color differences; and of course the illegal caste system, just to mention a few.  Good thing the Lord is in charge and not me because as you might see from my comments, I saw little hope.

Within this last year we have seen several things change that make our hearts happy.  There have been several marriages, 6-8, and there have been several new babies born, with a few more on the way.  These are good things and we are so happy to see these young people, who are the leadership of the church now, taking these steps and seeming so happy in the process. There are at least 6 new babies and at least a couple on the way. Yay!  The branch is changing and progressing. 

These babies are all so darling, and the grandmother in me just wants to sit and hold each one of them.  It will be sad to not see them grow up and become “naughty” as they are so often referred to by their parents, when they start developing their own personalities and knowing their own minds.  “He/she is so naughty”, is the response I almost always get from parents when I ask them how their babies are dong.  Cracks me up! 

While we have had some great experiences, and some trials and frustrations while we’ve been here, I can without a doubt say that the thing that has touched my heart the most is the people, and I will miss them.  If I could give them one bit of council, it would be to not take offense so easily, and certainly don’t let an offense keep you from your activity and growth in the church.  There, I’ve said my piece.  

Namaste 

And now, the end is near….

Regular readers of our blog will know that we missed an entry last week. The reason was we knew the game was a foot but didn’t know any details. Therefore rather than ignore the elephant in our living room, or giving only partial or wrong information, we choose to ignore, or more properly delay, our responsibility to you dear reader. This week we will reveal all. We hope you will forgive last week’s lapse.

So, we are going back to the US. Soon. Like the middle of next month. Rick Shurtz, the US partner, had intimated what they were proposing while they were here last week and Charu presented the plan when she got back into the office this week.

When my health was at its worst, I wrote Charu a letter in which I told her that we weren’t going to renew our contract next year and that I was not going to be able to keep working the 50 – 60 hours a week I have been; restoring my health had to be my first priority. I wrote I also understood they had a college to run and this was a critical time, so, if they found my replacement and wanted to make a change sooner, I would understand. I have been involved in some of their activities to find a replacement (with no luck I should note) and my health has improved. So, Rae and I fully anticipated that we were here until the end of my contract next March.

While Rich Shurtz was here, he and Charu decided to promote Rajive Narain, the head of our marketing and admissions, to campus director while they looked to fill the other two positions. With that, they are releasing me from my contract early – as in mid-September – but they are going to pay me through the end of December. So, now we start trying to figure out the next stage of our lives.

One of the parts of the next stage is figuring out how to use the rest of the time we have left in India. I am going to go to Goa (famous for its beaches) for a few days to receive Ayurvedic treatment and to have a little vacation with Rae. We are also trying to arrange a weekend trip to Rishikesh, up in the foothills of the Himalayas. With those two stops we will have at least seen many of the varied aspects of India. It would take much longer than we have had to really see anything like all of India – it is just too immense and different.

Here’s Rae with her take on all of this and more.

Wow is the word that comes to mind as I look back at this last week. Tuesday was the day that Charu and Phil spoke.  Wednesday was the day that we got the official word that Rajive would take over running the campus.  Wednesday night we had a party scheduled for all the staff, to celebrate some milestones, and so it was decided that the changes would be announced at that gathering. 

The reaction to the announcement was one of shock and sadness and it was touching for me to see their response as so many of them came up to Phil to express their sadness and love.  I know that Phil cares a lot about these people and so I’m sure this was hard for him.  It was an emotional time for me also.   Once the announcement had been made then the wheels could start in motion for our return.  Friday we found out that the moving company would come out on Saturday to see what was going to be shipped.  Saturday the moving company came to make their assessment.  Wow!

Now to dispose of the things that we will not be taking back to the US.  Some things are already spoken for but there are still some things that we need to resolve.  Moving is always so much fun, hopefully you caught the sarcasm there. 

I should be happy for the distractions that a move brings, because it keeps me from sitting around and thinking about the people that I will miss.  There are some things about India that will be easy to leave behind, but the people who have become so special to us, that’s the hardest part about leaving. 

We are excited to be back with our family and friends and feel at peace that this is what is right for us, but it does make our heads spin a bit.  Wow!

We’re trying to get more pictures taken that might help explain the experience(s) of living in India.  We are experiencing some computer issues so some of those pictures may have to wait until we’re back stateside and computers are resolved.  Just another reason it’s time to go home, maybe?

WOW!

Namaste 

[We are] back in the saddle again….

With a tip of the hat either to Gene Autry or Aerosmith depending on you generation, we are back physically to India and back to capturing our experiences in this blog. Woohoo!

Since the last blontry, I joined Rae for two weeks of family time in Oregon. It was great to see everyone and soak up the love, the relative cool (even though Portland was having a heat wave for them), and beauty of Oregon. I won’t try to capture all we did, but in addition to just spending time with our Oregon family and friends, some of the highlights included: Colvin’s 8^th birthday and baptism; seeing Emily and Kai for a few days who joined us from Arizona; seeing Launa and Jenna, who drove up from California to see us; and spending some time with Larry Capps – we recuperated together. And it was a time of healing. No one would let me do anything and kept having me keep my legs elevated. I also went 11 times to Brendon’s Radiant Pain Relief Center for treatment. As a consequence, I am essentially pain free even after the flight back from the US.

We got back just in time. We got back Tuesday morning at 1:00 AM; Dr.  Shurtz and Feroze arrived about 2:00 PM. The whirlwind started the next morning. Over the next three days we looked at all of the potential properties for a new campus, and had about a thousand meetings about what we are doing (or trying to do), and how we can do it better. Many decisions were made, and by Friday night we were more aligned than we have ever been.

One of the key decisions we made was about a new campus. We all agreed on one property in particular. It will take a few months to develop the design and do the remodelling. In fact, we undoubtedly won’t be here when they move to the new campus. It will at least be exciting to see the designs come together.

That’s about it for me. It is a lot more fun to write the blog when there are two of us. Here’s Rae!

It’s been a long time since I’ve contributed to our blontry, and the saddle is feeling a bit odd.  Let’s see if I can share some of the things that have changed while I was gone, and some things that are still the same.  One thing that hasn’t changed is the construction of the metro.  It still goes on, and maybe always will, but the detours and construction areas have shifted.  The summer heat is the same, sorry to report that that didn’t change.  The sightings of men urinating along the road side, the crazy traffic, and the guard outside our house are all the same. 

Today was my first time back to the branch in about three months and it was wonderful to see so many of the familiar faces that I have come to know and love.  There have also been some significant changes there also.  While I was gone the branch presidency was reorganized and Phil was released.  That resulted in the reorganization of almost every organization in the branch, including my release from the Primary presidency.  It was nice to be able to sit by my husband during the meetings, something that has never happened since my initial arrival to India, and a change I enjoyed.

Another significant change for me is my husband’s health.   It is amazing to me that someone’s health can change so dramatically so quickly.  It was a heart wrenching time to be so far away from him and have him be so sick.  He really has made progress, but he still has a ways to go.  Glad to be back together with him.  I’m sure that a lot of people were wondering what was wrong with his wife that she wasn’t back here to help him.  I must say that I will always love and appreciate all those people who helped him in my absence.

The final change I’ll talk about is my vision.  While this change took place while I was in the US it is still a significant change and one that I’m loving.  Cataracts are interesting things.  While I knew it was there and I knew I wasn’t seeing very well, I didn’t realize how poorly I was seeing until after the surgery.  I now see the world in a whole new light, pun intended.  I still have the left eye to do but it is not nearly as bad as my right eye was and I will have it done when we are back in the US.  The only disadvantage I have found from my clearer vision is the clarity with which I see all my wrinkles.  That I could do without. 

Life is full of changes, some are better that others.  I’m grateful for the good ones.  It’s good to be back in the saddle.  Have a good week.     

Namaste 

I once ... was blind, but now I see....

The title for this week’s blontry is a shout out to Rae. On Tuesday, she had cataract surgery. Since this is “our blog” she actually should be writing this but we have long since bought into the fallacy that if one of us is in India (me) it is his responsibility to write that week’s entry. It’s like there are no computers or internet connection in the US.

In any case, I am pleased to report that Rae’s surgery went very well. She is essentially 20/20 in her repaired eye. She has not had that kind of vision without contacts or glasses since she was a little girl. Now the question, given how positive the outcome, is how long she will wait to have her second eye done. She has surgery for the second eye scheduled. However, that would mean she would not return until mid-August. She may wait now until we are back in the States permanently. Part of that will be how well she deals with the visual ambiguity of one repaired eye and one that still has a cataract.

Well, I wrote last week that I would not write about my health again until there was a something significant to report. Since I can also use this report on our board meeting this week and reflect on traditional Indian medicine, I decided to go ahead.

On Tuesday, we had our board meeting. When Mr. Modi arrived, I asked if we should start. He said, “No, I want to talk about your health.” For the next few minutes he grilled me about my health, treatment, and prognosis. He then turned to Charu and said, “We need to get Phil together with Dr Uppoor.” He then went on to say the Dr. Uppoor is an MD and Ayurvedic (traditional Indian medicine) physician who had treated him and other members of their family. Dr. Uppoor’s clinic is in Goa. At first they were talking about flying be down there. Then he told Charu to see if Dr. Uppoor would be willing to fly to Delhi to meet with me. Once that was all settled, and only after it was settled we went on with the meeting.

I was very touched by Mr. Modi’s concern and his willingness to take action in my behalf. Since Dr Uppoor was coming to Delhi, anyway, the Modi’s decided to offer a consultation to other employees and their families. It was a generous act. Having now met with Dr. Uppoor, I am wrestling with what I heard. First a word about Ayurvedic medicine.

As mentioned above, Ayurveda or Ayurvedic medicine is traditional Indian medicine. Its roots go back thousands of years. Ayurveda does encompass surgery, in fact some of the earliest documented cataract, heart, and plastic surgery were done by an Ayurvedic physician in Varanasi. However, as practiced today, Ayurvedic focuses on the use of massage, medicine made form herbs, seeds, spices, and diet. There is an entire theoretical underpinning behind Ayurveda that is connected to Hindu thought and belief. But just as one does not have to believe the Hindu roots of yoga to benefit from its ability to improve flexibility and health, IF Ayurvedic treatment has value, it has value whether or not the theoretical underpinning is validated by science.

The question I am wrestling with is does the treatment have value? Dr Uppoor listened to my history; he reviewed the medical records from my treatment to date (remember he is an MD as well as Ayurvedic physician). After doing that, he said you do have an auto immune disease that is essentially rheumatoid arthritis. I know Ayurvedic treatment can cure you while all Western medicine can do is treat the symptoms. He didn’t want me to discontinue the medicine I am taking because in the short term the symptoms would get much worse again. He wanted me to come to his clinic in Goa for a 10 day course of treatment consisting primarily of massage and a specific controlled diet. However, it is best if someone go with me to assist me during the treatment. So, if I go, I will wait until Rae comes back.

In the meantime, I have trying to decide which dietary changes if any I should make. Based on Ayurvedic principles, Dr. Uppoor had a list of changes he thought I should make even if I don’t come to his clinic for a while. The problem is I have been researching the impact of diet on auto immune diseases and some of the things he is recommending are different from the current dietary recommendations in the US. There are certainly similarities but there are also pretty significant differences. If diet and/or Ayurvedic treatment can “cure” me or even significantly reduce my symptoms I am all for it. How to sort out what actually will help and what is irrelevant is hard to know.

What to do? What to do?

Namaste 

I'm doin' my yoga, And the world looks better standin' on my head

Today is Father’s Day in India as well as the US. If Father’s Day gets little attention in the US, at least compared to Mother’s Day, observance in India is essentially non-existent. In my case, my two fathers (Horace W Lundberg and Kenneth Whyte, Rae’s father) have passed on. I have been blessed in my life, in addition to these men to have others show me by example how to be a father. In this list I would include Jaron Norberg, Tomasue Abo, and my brothers in law. It is also a genuine pleasure to watch my son and sons in law grow into the role of father. They are doing a great job helping rear and guide our grandchildren. So, here’s to the fathers in my life. Thank you!

As noted, today is Father’s Day but did you know that it is also International Yoga Day? The United Nations has declared today, June 21^st to be Yoga Day. I am not sure how big a deal that is anywhere else in the world but here in India it is a freakin’ big deal. Well, actually, I guess it is officially a bigger deal than it is for the common man or woman.

It appears that every level of government has arranged some official recognition. The centrepiece was this morning at which 40,000 people assembled on the raj path (the official assembly grounds between India Gate and the Presidential Palace) to do a yoga session. It was designed to set a Guinness World’s Record. Prime Minister Modi addressed the throng, but didn’t participate. This despite the fact that he “practices yoga every day.” In that regard there have been articles published about the importance of people practicing in advance of official activities. There is great concern that it would not be seemly if people cannot do the asanas, or yoga positions, correctly. I guess it might become apparent that yoga is honored more in its breach than its actual observance.

There have been commercials touting Yoga Day and encouraging participation. Today alone I have received three texts on my phone encouraging me to do something to participate in some way. I guess not surprisingly, all of this attention has caused some backlash. Many Muslims are concerned about the pressure to participate in yoga activities. They correctly point out that yoga is not just exercise but is inextricably connected to Hindu theology. They are afraid that if they don’t participate, they will be viewed as not being patriotic. However, they are more afraid that if they do participate, they will violate the imperative to only worship Allah. So much for yoga being just a good form of healthy activity.

Namaste