overview

study break-- Tera and I walked outside for a minute right before it started pouring rain


driving in India would stress me out! they seriously do not have traffic laws



the Taj is pretty much amazing. we were so lucky that there was a slight breeze because I was sweating like crazy (and so was everyone else that crammed inside to look at the tomb... i know because i could smell them)



we have been doing a kids club for the past three days. we sing songs, tell stories, and do crafts. the people with whom we have working have amazing hearts, and their translating skills have been so helpful!



yesterday, Alicia, Tyler and I went to my favorite restaurant for lunch. Alicia lived here for two years and will be here for a month this summer. I am finally feeling better, and I was really encouraged being able to talk through what I have been learning and noticing during the trip.

namaste

we do something different everyday, so its really difficult to summarize the trip.
the food, heat and i have not been getting along so well, and i am constantly being challenged to be patient, loving, prayerful, faithful, and intentional. externally, everything is fantastic- our contacts, our living situation, the people, and our daily activities have been enjoyable. internally, whether it literal or figurative, everything is getting jumbled. my stomach and body ache regularly. at the same time, my thoughts and faith are being twisted frequently as well. i love it though. so much to learn. ty and i were able to go to a local coffee shop tonight and just talk through what we have been thinking about and noticing, which was so enjoyable. he also downloaded pictures today, so you can see just a couple of the things we have been doing.

tyler, zack and myself in the library (which is the main part of the first floor at our contact's home)



ally and me dancing to music with the kids at the orphanage we visited



the winning team from our photo scavenger hunt yesterday. we had to take pictures at certain places or doing certain things all over the city.

I love mangos. I hate delhi-belly.

We have been here a little less than a week, but it feels like way longer. I don’t mean that in a bad way; I think we just got settled pretty quickly and do so many things every day that I can’t believe it has only been 6 days. The team is doing so well. We have gone to markets, temples, coffee shops and an orphanage yesterday.

Naturally, I could write forever but I will just tell you about the temples. The first one was Hindu. Just as I had been warned, every one of my senses was over-stimulated. People were everywhere, bustling through the hot, humid, incense-filled air in the temple. We walked barefoot on the warm marble floor and watched as people desperately wrung bells to awaken their gods. They offered food and flowers to the idols and knelt or bowed in reverence. Ironic that the idols and people are clothed in bright colors and candles and flowers are scattered everywhere, but it was one of the darkest places I have ever been. The Sikh temple was crowded, loud, and had a certain aroma as well, but there is much less desperation and individual focus during their “worship.” I can’t really describe everything very well, and those experiences only account for about 3 hours of our trip. Just wanted to fill you in a little, though. Ty has been capturing the trip on his amazing camera. Check out his blog for more pics. www.tylerhoehne.blogspot.com.

"s"

quick post. we got here this afternoon, drove to the house where we are staying, walked around the market, and went to a local coffee shop. as i was walking through the market, i was thinking about how to describe everything. many people have tried to describe it to me, and while all of their descriptions are true, no words or pictures can actually encompass what it is like to be here. nonetheless, half of the words i thought of begin with the letter S.
Sweat. Smog. Smells. Sounds. Stares. and for the parentals, i'm safe and sound... and i love you.

iTunes

i am waiting for songs to download. iTunes is so convenient but slightly dangerous. i bought a bunch of songs yesterday to keep myself entertained during the approximate 24 hours of travel that are in my near future. sadly, my battery died in the process, though, so i came back to school this morning to download the rest.
Gavin Degraw was my first purchase, naturally, and i am going to have to agree with Mel. Its not exactly what i expected, but i have listened to it 3 or 4 times now, and its growing on me.
Also, some of my roommates made mixes for me last night while i baked cookies, so i am excited to listen to those.
All i have left is to do is laundry so that i do not have to do it when i return. I will probably talk to my mom again (for like the 5th time in the last 2 days) and go to dinner with the girls tonight before i leave.
I am a little nervous actually. Maybe not nervous-- just anxious to get the trip started already. I dont really want to think about it or plan for it anymore, i just want to be there.
Well, im going to go for a run for the last time for 3 weeks. Then take a long, comfortable shower, also probably for the last time for 3 weeks ;)

i dont have internet

at the condo that i live in. i would complain but it is pretty much the best situation ever, so complaining is not a thought or an option. sometimes its kind of been a blessing actually. we did not have tv either for almost a month (and 3 of the 5 roommates were gone) so i got to have lots of quality time with the pretty girl with the sweet teal-ish sunglasses. that is my roommate Erika.
When i wasnt with her this past month, i was probably with the other beautiful brunette, carly. both of them are such great girls and i have had so much fun with them so far this summer. this is kind of a special shout out to them because im leaving tuesday for "South Asia" and im going to miss them tons.
Last weekend we went out to lunch then downtown to this old used bookstore. it was a really enjoyable saturday. luckily Erika always has her camera for photo sessions.



















also, i never post. i read posts. on sunday nights when i come to coffee depot with carly to use the free internet. i have had the urge to blog all week, so now i finally have my chance.
summer has been wonderful. it was blazing in riverside for about a week, then the next week it poured rain and there was a random tornado, and this week has been mild and lovely. i work two on-campus jobs, so i have a 5-10 minute commute to school and am so blessed to have people that will employ me basically full time despite my ridiculous schedule. i am not exactly sure what i do with my nights, other than wednesday nights, when i have small group. other than that, i get a great combination of alone time and friend time.
i leave tuesday night for my isp trip. i am so ready. i was packed a week ago (yeah, i over plan, but i surprisingly have not overpacked-- i have a carry-on size suitcase and a backpack-- for 3 weeks). its going to be hot and humid but i am so excited to experience a different people and culture. it should be humbling, challenging and thrilling.
i will be back in utah around july 7th, so i will get to tell many of you all about it in person. Horray!
anyway, that is pretty much it. i will try to post once when im gone, so for those loyal friends that still check this, check it again please :)