New Adventures Around the Globe

It's Been Too Long...I need to update my blog!

2012-02-11T00:08:00.004-08:00

I can't believe that my time in India is coming to a close soon! It's been an experience, one that I will remember for the rest of my life. I've witnessed both the good and the bad, but I have learned from all of my experiences. I have taken so many pictures and I have to upload a lot of these to my blog! I'm looking forward to my upcoming travels in March...Hoping to visit Dharamsala, Jaisalmer, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Nepal, and many more places...Let's see if I can squeeze it all in!

Golden Temple!

2011-10-31T10:01:00.000-07:00

Shubh Deepavali! Happy Diwali! Diwali in India is like New Year's mixed with Mardi Gras and Carnival! Diwali in India is truly a sight to behold! There are lights everywhere! It was amazing to see the lights, fireworks, and colors during Diwali. While flying out of Delhi and into Amritsar, I actually witnessed the beauty of all the lights from the airplane! It looked like something out of a movie! I also got an opportunity to see the Golden Temple in Amritsar. It was lit up with diyas (small lamps) and lights and looked beautiful. The Golden Temple is one of the best sights in the world. I have to add tons of pictures! I also visited several Sikh gurdwaras (prayer halls) and the Wagah Border. Overall, it was a great trip. I also learned a lot about the Sikh religion and met some great people in Amritsar (at my hotel there were people from LA, NY, Santa Fe, and Florida). One of the highlights was visiting our driver Lalli's home in the pind (village) and meeting his entire family. I even got a chance to bhangra with them!

P.S. I still have to add trip pictures and a description of my trip to Kolkata! Another sight to behold. Durga pandals everywhere! Oh, and Happy Halloween!

School...Life...& Everything In Between

2011-08-24T11:45:00.001-07:00

I've been teaching for two weeks at Kendriya Vidyalaya in Pragati Vihar. It's been an interesting experience & I think I've heard more than enough of the word "ma'am!" (My ears are still ringing). Every time the students see me, they say "Good morning Ma'am, Good afternoon Ma'am, etc." Any when they ask me questions, they always use "ma'am." The first day, I had fifty students asking me ten questions a minute! I felt like I was on a crazy version of Jeopardy! I'm really looking forward to teaching more classes in the coming months! I have to post pictures of my school and my travels in Mussoorie and Rishikesh (sorry I'm late, but it's Indian Standard Time...haha)!

Culture Shock

2011-08-06T11:00:00.001-07:00

Definitely feeling the culture shock as I try to settle into daily life in New Delhi, India. My experience has been so different from my experience in Japan. Daily life can be hard here. For instance, I had to buy some groceries and I had to cross a street full of potholes, avoid the stray dogs, jump over the dung, and then cross before the oncoming cars! It felt like something out of an Indiana Jones movie!

I finally found an apartment (thanks to my family)! It's a great place and it's my little bubble away from all the chaos, crowds, dogs, monkeys, etc. that make up India. I started teaching at my school and so far I've just hung out with the teachers. They're really friendly and always tell me that I speak Hindi very well (although I think that I need to practice)! I think some of the teachers were confused because they thought I was from India. Then they heard my American accent and they were surprised! I hope to start teaching classes soon and really want to meet all the students.

Mussoorie, The Queen of the Hills

2011-07-22T00:42:00.000-07:00

So far India has been an incredible experience! I landed in New Delhi on July 4th and it's been a crazy experience! Sitting in a car in India is like a roller coaster ride. There are cows, dogs, swerving cars, monkeys, and people on all the streets in India.

I'm in Mussoorie at Landour Language School learning my ABC's in Hindi. While I can speak and understand Hindi, it's difficult for me to read and write Hindi. It's been a learning experience! The teachers are really friendly and work well with all of us. I have to practice Hindi as much as possible! It's monsoon season in Mussoorie and it rains every single day, sometimes in rains for 24-48 hours straight! I head back to New Delhi in one week and I'm definitely going to miss Mussoorie.

New Delhi in One Week!!!

2011-06-28T20:48:00.000-07:00

Holy Cow (no pun intended)! I'm heading to New Delhi in a week! I'm super excited, scared, nervous, ecstatic all at the same time! I know it's going to be an amazing experience teaching English & I can't wait to meet my students! This is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience & I can't wait! I'll definitely hope to keep my blog updated! The Fulbright Orientation in D.C. was awesome & I met some brilliant people there. I hope I can live up to that kind of talent! I know this is going to be good! :)

Farewell Sweet Osaka...Namaste New Delhi!

2011-06-08T03:31:00.000-07:00

Can't believe that I am leaving Osaka in one week! I will miss you so much Osaka...You are an amazing, fabulous, wonderful, fantastic, brilliant, crazy, beautiful, cool city! Next up, New Delhi, India! I'm going to be a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in New Delhi at Kendriya Vidyalaya School! Before I reach New Delhi, I'm going back to LA to meet my family and then Washington D.C. for a one week orientation. It's going to be major culture shock, but I'm super excited! Get Ready New Delhi cause here I come!!!

Forever

2010-09-04T09:05:00.000-07:00

it's been forever since I last wrote! wow, cannot believe this is my last year in Japan...it's been amazing, brilliant, the best experience of my life...need I say more dear readers...i think i'm going to cry when I leave, but at least I'll enjoy it for now! i've seen so many places, met beautiful amazing Japanese people, and lived it up in Japan...it sounds like I'm leaving already...hehe! anyways, i'm just feeling nostalgic...i had a tough time before coming to japan...let's just say i was scarred (and that's literal)...for now i'll live life to the fullest and enjoy every minute of it while I'm in the land of the rising sun and those neon lit streets of Osaka...

It's Been Awhile

2009-09-28T07:49:00.000-07:00

Wow, so its been awhile since I last updated my blog...Sorry, my dear friend! Just finished a fantastic trip over the Silver Week to Takayama & Kanazawa! I'll post some pics soon! Really enjoyed traveling through Japan & the scenery was gorgeous...lush green valleys, rice paddies, the flowing river...breathtaking! Hoping to travel more around Japan this year! Can't believe it's already October! It's all gone by so quickly!!

Procrastination...

2009-05-21T05:41:00.000-07:00

so I'm supposed to be giving a presentation on the Indian Education System next Tuesday to teachers, but I'm procrastinating working on it & instead am going to update my blog...hooray!

the trains and subways in Osaka look like something out of a crazy sci-fi move called Attack of the Killer Swine! eveyone is wearing a mask (well, except for me and the other gaijin). it's strange being in Japan during the swine flu scare...i wish the paranoia would end sooner rather than later...on a side note, school was cancelled for one week...that was definitely fun!

we'll see what happens in the coming few weeks...

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-09T08:43:00.000-07:00

Mom, you are the best...Happy Mother's Day...Thanks for giving me everything in the world & always wearing a smile on your face...you are an amazing person! I love you!

on a side note: so I heard from my parents that some people went into diabetic comas...that scares the hell out of me....I really really really need to work on focusing on me and my health & my blood sugars...i hate playing Russian Roulette with my life...it's frightening...

My New Doctor

2009-03-13T01:51:00.000-07:00

All kinds of thoughts floated through my head as I waited to board a plane heading to Tokyo. I felt nervous anticipation, excitement, a hunger for new experiences, bittersweet memories, and an adrenaline rush. I was thrilled that I was about to embark on a new journey in life and that I would be teaching English to high school students in Japan! "We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open,” said Jawaharal Nehru. Moving to Japan and starting on a new path through life was truly going to be an adventure that I would never forget. I was ready to go to the Land of the Rising Sun! The JET Program would change my world forever, but challenges lay ahead. I would have to adapt to a different culture, food, customs, and a language I did not know. I was going to be living in Osaka, Japan and I knew that it was going to be very different from my home in Denver, Colorado. I knew I could manage most of the changes, but was a bit worried about how I’d communicate with the most important person of all, my new diabetic doctor in Japan.

Learning another language is always strenuous, but add that to moving to a country where you do not even know how to ask, “can I have that to go?” and it brings on a whole new challenge. In the past, I had traveled to many countries and learned the basic phrases in the local language, but living in Japan as a resident was going to be an entirely different experience. Mark Twain once said, “The existing phrasebooks are inadequate. They are well enough as far as they go, but when you fall down and skin your leg they don't tell you what to say.” I knew it was going to be difficult living in another country, especially because of the language barrier. But, since I was placed in a big city, I thought I could still communicate with people using English and the few phrases of Japanese that I knew. I was in for a huge surprise when I went to the hospital for my first doctor’s appointment and no one spoke any English. I could not even ask the front desk staff where the doctor’s room was located. Luckily, my liaison and sister were with me and were able to assist me in translating Japanese to English.

Even before I arrived in Japan, I had made arrangements to visit a diabetic doctor, Dr. Tanaka, in one of Osaka’s big public hospitals. I was happy to learn that Dr. Tanaka spoke English, so I would be able to communicate with him. I knew it would take me time to learn how to say, “I have a fever,” in Japanese, so until I increased my knowledge of Japanese, I planned to speak in English. My father and sister were visiting me at the time and decided to accompany me to the hospital for the doctor’s visit. In addition, the Board of Education liaison accompanied me to the hospital to ensure that my first doctor visit went smoothly. As I approached the hospital front desk with my liaison, she spoke quickly to the receptionist in Japanese and then explained to me that my appointment would begin at 11 am. The hospital staff informed me that I would have to wait for a long time to see the doctor (anywhere from one to three hours) and they gave me a pager which would vibrate when it was my turn to see the doctor. As my father, sister, liaison, and I sat in the lobby of the hospital, waiting to see Dr. Tanaka, we decided to have lunch in the sandwich/coffee shop inside of the hospital. Just as we ordered our drinks and lunch and settled in for the long haul, the pager began beeping and vibrating and it was time for us to go to see the doctor right away!

All four of us went inside the doctor’s office to visit Dr. Tanaka, but to our surprise, a Dr. Hosoi greeted us! We were all confused as to why I was meeting Dr. Hosoi and not Dr. Tanaka. Through various translations from the nurse to the liaison and my sister, we learned that my doctor would be Dr. Hosoi from then on and not the elusive Dr. Tanaka. I had built up an image of Dr. Tanaka in my mind for over one month. I thought he would be a short, slim, and older Japanese man with a deep understanding of how to best treat diabetic patients. To my amazement, I was introduced to Dr. Hosoi who was younger, taller, and wore glasses, not at all like the doctor who I had imagined. My new doctor greeted me nicely and I finally relaxed as we discussed my medical history. Dr. Hosoi spoke English well and I was relieved that I would be able to speak to him with confidence. In addition, Dr. Hosoi also had a deep understanding of the best treatment options for diabetic patients. Somehow we were able to communicate across language barriers through translations and I forgot my worries.

The one thing I love about Osaka is its people! Osakans are some of the friendliest people on Earth (and that is not an overstatement) and they will go out of their way to help you! Even though I am still learning Japanese, Osakans make an effort to speak to me in English and elementary Japanese. I appreciate how Osakans go out of their way to assist me when I need help! I now visit the hospital without my Board of Education liaison, but the hospital staff makes an effort to assist me by speaking to me in English and Japanese.

Helen Keller once said, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” I believe that my experience in moving to Japan and learning Japanese has been one of the biggest adventures of my life! Every day living in Osaka, I experience a new adventure, whether it is visiting the doctor’s office, traveling to Kyoto to see Nanzenji Temple, or making new Japanese friends!

I always dreamt about living in Japan ever since my sister participated in the JET Program five years ago, but it is surreal to actually be experiencing Japan for myself! I had been interested in Japan ever since my sister worked as an ALT in the mountains of Gifu prefecture. My sister frequently sent me photos and e-mails describing the festivals she attended, the beautiful scenery (including pictures of astonishing cherry blossoms), and the awe-inspiring temples. I visited my sister while she was living in Japan and since then had wanted to participate in the JET Program. During my train travels through Honshu, I explored the important and beautiful temples of Kyoto, admired the scenery of the Japanese Alps in Hida, stared at the skyscrapers in Nagoya and Tokyo, and felt the warmth of the Japanese people. I enjoyed meeting the teachers and students at my sister’s school, in northern Gifu-ken. At that point in time, I did not know that one day I would move to Osaka and meet amazing people and teach English to great students.

I truly enjoy listening to and understanding people, and I hope to gain more knowledge of the Japanese culture, customs, and traditions by studying and learning Japanese. As I learn Japanese, I will increase my confidence in speaking and will gain more of an understanding about my surroundings. I have already signed up for Japanese classes at the local international center and am learning new words and phrases everyday! In the future, I hope to be able to speak to the front desk staff at the hospital on my own and explain who I need to see and for what reason, without substitute hand gestures and broken Japanese phrases!

Mark Twain once said, "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” I know that twenty years from now when I look back on the past, I will be happy that I lived in Osaka and discovered my passion for teaching English to students in Japan.

As I stand looking at the clear night sky and the beautiful skyline and bright lights of Osaka from my balcony, I cannot imagine my life any other way. Every day I set out to my high schools and enjoy teaching the students English. I look forward to seeing my students smiling faces and those who are eager to learn English. Although I face new challenges and difficulties, I also am learning how to overcome these and discovering new things every day!

Great Travel Quotes

2009-03-10T08:36:00.000-07:00

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." -- Mark Twain

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." -- Helen Keller

"Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living." –- Miriam Beard

"A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it." –- John Steinbeck

"When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money." -- Susan Heller

"Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter." -- Izaak Walton

"I have found out that there ain't no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them." -- Mark Twain

"We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open." -- Jawaharal Nehru

"A man of ordinary talent will always be ordinary, whether he travels or not; but a man of superior talent (which I cannot deny myself to be without being impious) will go to pieces if he remains forever in the same place." — Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

"Don't tell me how educated you are, tell me how much you have traveled." — Mohammed

"Two roads diverged in a wood and I – I took the one less traveled by." — Robert Frost

"I should like to spend the whole of my in life traveling abroad, if I could anywhere borrow another life to spend afterwards at home." — William Hazlitt

"All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware." — Martin Buber

Tips for a Better Life

2009-01-21T18:14:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine posted these on Facebook and I think they are great lessons and ideas to live by:

Tips for Better Life
1. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
3. Sleep for 7 hours.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
5. Play more games.
6. Read more books than you did the previous year.
7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
11. Drink plenty of water.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
14. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
15. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
16. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
17. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
18. Smile and laugh more.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Don't compare your partner with others.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25. Forgive everyone for everything.
26. What other people think of you is none of your business.
27. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
28. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
29. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
30. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
31. The best is yet to come.
32. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
33. Do the right thing!
34. Call your family often.
35. Your inner most is always happy. So be happy.
36. Each day give something good to others.
37. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
38. Share this with someone you care about.

I think I'll follow them all! My favorites are 18, 20, 26, and 30!

Somewhere between Here & There

2009-01-21T05:30:00.001-08:00

Washington D.C....New York...Philly...Fredericksburg...I had a good trip home & visited places I had never seen before! I also ate Philadelphia cheesesteak...except I had the chicken version and not the beef version, so does that count? I rocked out at Basement Bhangra in New York City...I felt the vibrating energy and crazy rush of blood to the head at Basement Bhangra! It was surreal to actually be in a place that I had dreamt about. DJ Rekha spun the best beats on New Year's Day, just before we had to leave...we had to drop our Japanese foreign exchange student to the airport early the next morning (I'll have to tell you the stories about that experience in another blog...) Overall, I really enjoyed meeting my family and friends! More interesting and crazy stories to follow...

In Between

2008-12-05T18:55:00.000-08:00

Time has flown by...It feels like I just reached Japan and was in nervous anticipation about what was in store for me for the next four months! Now, I am heading to my other home for the holidays (wherever my family is, is home and currently that is New York City). My Japan experiences have been unlike any other and I am really truly enjoying each and every minute here!

Recently, I went to an amazing candlelight display in Umeda...I saw beauty in a concrete maze! What a magical night!

I'm looking forward to seeing my family in Washington D.C. and New York! My home keeps changing, but I like it this way....One day Japan, one day New York, one day, I don't know where next? It will be interesting going home, but I am definitely going to enjoy it!

Sky Ridge Hospital Rears Its Ugly Head

2008-11-14T06:37:00.000-08:00

This is the story of the medical treatment I received this summer....Read this and decide what you think of Sky Ridge Hospital in Lone Tree and the American medical system in general (ER's are notorious for being horrible, but this is the United States of America, so I would expect top medical care)...

_______________________________________________________________

I had all the symptoms of a stomach flu: severe nausea, vomiting, and headaches, but I knew this was not a stomach flu and something much worse. It all started on July 8, 2008 as I dropped my sister to the airport and I experienced these symptoms. At home, I decided I needed to go to the ER and so my father and I rushed to Sky Ridge Hospital.

When Sky Ridge Hospital opened in August 2003, it was the “talk to the town” with ultramodern facilities, top of the line equipment and technology, an amazing kitchen staff, private hospital rooms with views, and top-notch doctors. Sky Ridge even boasted of valet parking. Sky Ridge was fit for a king, or at least an A-list celebrity. What impressed me most were the descriptions of how Sky Ridge cared for their patients and made them feel very comfortable at the hospital.

Sky Ridge’s vision is to “set the standard in the new century for health, healing and comfort.” Their mission is to provide patients, their families and the community with extraordinary healthcare service; to ensure peace of mind through high quality, compassionate treatment; and to deliver care beyond their expectations.”

I was shocked when I arrived at the Sky Ridge ER and dealt with a variety of problems right from the start. The staff was truly incompetent, which was surprising. First, they measured my heart rate, and it was extremely high at 140 beats per minute. A typical heart rate is 80-90 beats per minute. I was asked by a nurse if I was nervous, to which I replied no. The staff did not conduct any further investigation as to why my heart rate was so high. This would have been important in determining a diagnosis to my problem.

In addition, a nurse tried to withdraw blood from my left arm, but to no avail. After leaving the hospital, the traumatic blood draw caused a large scar to remain on my arm for more than two weeks.

The staff finally took me into the back room to wait for a doctor. I waited for approximately 45 minutes before Dr. Eric Bratz came into to see me. After relaying my information and symptoms to him, he stated that someone would come to see me with an I.V. I was severely dehydrated as I was not able to eat or drink anything for several days. After 1 hour, an I.V. was finally brought in. I was given medication called Zofran to control the nausea with the I.V. and left alone for another hour.

The doctors and staff treated me like a second class citizen and they thought that my case was not as important as the other cases. However, my case was extremely important and severe. After three hours, the doctor told me I would be able to go home as I had a “viral infection,” to drink plenty of fluids, and gave me a prescription of Zofran. My doctor did not discuss my blood work with me, no diagnosis came out of the blood work, and no further testing was done.

The next morning, I woke up with the same symptoms that I had encountered the previous day. The doctors at Sky Ridge did not spend enough time with me to come up with a diagnosis. After going to Sky Ridge, I was sick for two weeks with the same symptoms. Even when I took the nausea medication, Zofran , I continued to deal with the same symptoms .

After going to my local doctor who noticed that my heart rate was extremely high, I was sent to Littleton Hospital. The high heart rate was serious and was causing my body to work harder. As one doctor put it, “it’s as though you are running a 10 mile marathon, while sitting down.” After testing, it was determined that I suffered from a serious condition known as hyperthyroidism and a simple medication was given to me which solved all my problems.

After a one month ordeal, I would have to disagree with Sky Ridge mission statement and vision. They did not care for me in the same way that I would have expected. They did not keep me overnight for observation nor look into why my heart rate was so high. Sky Ridge failed to provide me with the proper medical service that I would expect from a top-notch hospital.

Finally, to top off this horrible ordeal, Sky Ridge stuck me with a $150 bill. My insurance paid Sky Ridge over $1,500. I talked to the Director of the ER, Chris Duran, as well as the patient advocate, and they stated that a Sky Ridge doctor had reviewed my case, but unfortunately, the doctor sided with the ER doctors and staff. Of course, the doctor was not neutral and thought that the ER did the right thing. After going to this nightmare I completely disagree with this doctor.

Finally, I was supposed to leave for Japan, but due to my complications and being left undiagnosed and untreated at Sky Ridge, I was not able to go with my group. Luckily I left for Japan in mid-August, but it was touch and go for awhile (I did not know if I would be able to go to Japan...it was one of the scariest times of my life)!

In the future, if you are thinking of going to an ER or hospital, please reconsider and do not choose Sky Ridge. Every patient is important and deserves the best care at a hospital. Sky Ridge cannot provide the best care and service to their patients. Doctors are supposed to diagnose any and all problems, but if Sky Ridge cannot, then no patient is safe.

Will I pay the $150. Sure, but I won’t be happy about it, especially because Sky Ridge, did not deliver.

It's Been Awhile

2008-11-14T06:16:00.001-08:00

So it's been awhile since I last posted...Gomen nasai (sorry in Japanese)!!! I am really enjoying teaching here in Japan! Each day is very different and they do say that "variety is the spice of life," so that's a good thing!!! :) I've made some good friends with some of my Japanese students! Here's a picture with my Japanese student, Ayaka who is my tomodachi (good friend)!

I'm still trying to learn Japanese though, which is going very very slowly. I'm happy to tell you though that my Hindi is pretty damn good! I went to an Indian Restaurant called Raja yesterday and spoke to these two really nice ladies (they own the restaurant) in Hindi...It felt fantastic to be able to speak in another language in Japan!!!! But, I'm really enjoying Osaka and all it has to offer!

The one thing I love about Osaka is it's people! Osakans (Kansaites) are some of the most friendly people on Earth (and that is not an overstatement) and they will go out of their way to help you! I know I am definitely going to go through reverse culture shock when I get back to the U.S.! I do miss my friends and family in Colorado, New York, and India!

I miss Indian stuff too! But I am teaching some Bhangra to the other teachers, which is really fun! You all know my obsession with Bhangra! The Bhangra/Bollywood continues!!!! I even went to a Diwali party here in Osaka with my yaars! It totally rocked and I danced with this Rajastani guy (I think his name was Vineet) and these two girls from New Delhi for two hours! I really enjoyed dancing on the stage!

Finally in Japan!

2008-10-12T08:05:00.000-07:00

After an insane summer dealing with medical problems (damn you Murphy!!), I finally reached Japan!! Osaka is urban, gritty, and yet has an entirely awesome landscape and cool vibe (it's hard to explain, but once you experience it, you'll know what I'm talking about).

The two schools I am teaching at are amazing (each in it's own way)! At Chou Senior High School I have students ranging from 18 to 70! My students at Nishi are extremely bright, friendly, and ready to learn. In a way, I wish my high school experience was a little different (more Japanese & less American).

My other favorite city, Kyoto, is only a 45 minute train ride from my place. Kyoto's beauty is in her temples and gardens. Someday, I would love to live in Kyoto! Today, I went on an electric bike tour through Kyoto & saw some fantastic temples. Unfortunately, nowadays Kyoto is being overrun with tourists, but there are some areas where you can find peace & tranquility.

I'll post some pictures soon!

Finally I'm happy....it's hard to explain through my blog, but if you ever want to hear why, I'll sit down with you & tell you over masala chai...

The Land of the Rising Sun!

2008-08-17T23:58:00.000-07:00

I'm about to embark on a new and adventurous journey to Japan...Feelings at the moment: excited, thrilled, hunger, bittersweet, nervous, new, different, challenging, sadness (sniff sniff)...I can't wait to experience majestic Japan :), but I'm going to miss Colorado and my peeps, yaars, homies :(...Plus there's always the future to think about....I'll post up pictures as soon as I get to Japan! Who knows what to expect...All I know is that it's gonna be one hell of a ride!!!!!!!!!!! Let's go to the Land of the Rising Sun!!!

P.S. Please come & visit me! I would love to show you around! Plus I'm only 30 minutes from Kyoto which is truly Heaven on Earth! Kyoto has the best Zen gardens, temples, and scenery in the world!!! :) It will be worth your while!

Oh The Places You'll Go!

2007-08-05T16:27:00.000-07:00

Dr. Seuss' greatest masterpiece that hopefully will define the rest of my life :)....

Oh The Places I'll Go!

Oh The Places You'll Go
Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.
You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care.
About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.
And you may not find any
you'll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you'll head straight out of town.
It's opener there
in the wide open air.
Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.
And when things start to happen,
don't worry. Don't stew.
Just go right along.
You'll start happening too.
OH!
THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!
You'll be on your way up!
You'll be seeing great sights!
You'll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights.
You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.
You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you'll be the best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.
Except when you don' t
Because, sometimes, you won't.
I'm sorry to say so
but, sadly, it's true
and Hang-ups
can happen to you.
You can get all hung up
in a prickle-ly perch.
And your gang will fly on.
You'll be left in a Lurch.
You'll come down from the Lurch
with an unpleasant bump.
And the chances are, then,
that you'll be in a Slump.
And when you're in a Slump,
you're not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.
You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.
Some windows are lighted. But mostly they're darked.
A place you could sprain both you elbow and chin!
Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?
And IF you go in, should you turn left or right...
or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite?
Or go around back and sneak in from behind?
Simple it's not, I'm afraid you will find,
for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.
You can get so confused
that you'll start in to race
down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space,
headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place...
...for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or waiting around for a Yes or a No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.
Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a sting of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.
NO!
That's not for you!
Somehow you'll escape
all that waiting and staying.
You'll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.
With banner flip-flapping,
once more you'll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.
Ready because you're that kind of a guy!
Oh, the places you'll go! There is fun to be done!
There are points to be scored. there are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball
will make you the winning-est winner of all.
Fame! You'll be famous as famous can be,
with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.
Except when they don't.
Because, sometimes, they won't.
I'm afraid that some times
you'll play lonely games too.
Games you can't win
'cause you'll play against you.
All Alone!
Whether you like it or not,
Alone will be something
you'll be quite a lot.
And when you're alone, there's a very good chance
you'll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.
There are some, down the road between hither and yon,
that can scare you so much you won't want to go on.
But on you will go
though the weather be foul
On you will go
though your enemies prowl
On you will go
though the Hakken-Kraks howl
Onward up many
a frightening creek,
though your arms may get sore
and your sneakers may leak.
On and on you will hike
and I know you'll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.
You'll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You'll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life's
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3 / 4 percent guaranteed.)
KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!
So...
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
you're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!
---Dr. Seuss

Playa del Carmen!

2007-06-16T19:48:00.000-07:00

Playa del Carmen is an amazing city...It is full of great cafes, street markets, and friendly people! Playa is about an hour away from Cancun and I would definitely recommend it to those hoping to escape the touristy American and bar filled Hotel Zone in Cancun....In Playa, we got caught in a rainstorm and ended up eating at a restaurant called Fusion...Turned out this restaurant had the best Guacamole ever and our server, Melissa was great! She and Sonia shared something in common...they are both journalists! I enjoyed the 90 degree tropical weather in Cancun...Although it rained often, we had nice sunny days too!

On the way from Denver to Cancun, I met the cutest little puppy in the world...His name is Tank...heh heh! I got to walk with him and his nice owner, Rachel all around DIA...:) :)

Let's Play!!

2007-06-16T19:35:00.000-07:00

I didn't get a chance to update my blog too much while in Mexico....Cancun is a pricey city...Using the Internet at the hotel for 10 minutes costs $10! Therefore, I am going to continue my blog from Denver, CO!

Anyways....I got to enjoy some fun activities like snorkeling, parasailing, and swimming with the sharks (okay maybe not that, but I thought I would make my blog a little interesting...heh heh :) ) The jet ski ride to the boat that launched our parasail was thrilling y muy bueno!!! I'm going to post some pictures for you all to take a look!

Also went to great Thai, Chinese, and Mexican restaurants while we were in Cancun. Went on long walks on the beach every day and went swimming....Us land dwellers are so happy to actually see the ocean!

Hola por Cancun!!!!!!

2007-05-28T15:28:00.000-07:00

Greetings! We finally made it to Cancun after a crazy flying experience! First our plane was delayed for two hours from Denver to Houston...Afterwards on our way to Houston, someone on board had a seizure! It was pretty wild! Luckily there was a firefighter from Arvada aboard our aircraft who helped the guy out! It was raining like crazy when my sister got to Cancun...We however didnt have to face a crazy rainstorm like the last time we came to Cancun!!! Cancun has the best beaches in the world! Tomorrow Im going to go to Playa del Carmen or snorkeling or both! Will post pics soon! Adios for now!

Time to Head Out Once More: This Summer 2007!!!

2007-05-01T01:43:00.000-07:00

This summer I will be going on three trips which I am really excited about!! :) First stop will be Cancun, Mexico over the Memorial Day weekend...I plan to go snorkeling, chill on the beach with my pina coladas and margaritas, and check out Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, and Isla Mujures...Hoping to try out parasailing, if I'm lucky! :) Next, I'm heading out to SF over the July 4th weekend! I'm going to all the dhabas which have the best Indian food in town and the best naans in the world (even better than India & that's the truth...I was just there!)! I'm also going to try out New Delhi Restaurant which is one of the best Indian restaurants in the Bay Area. Hoping to catch up with a good friend who is coming into town as well & party it up at the Rickshaw Stop with nonstop bhangra...Let's just say I've been practicing a lot and am ready to bhangra all night long! Woo...Just thinking about it gives me chills! Last, but not least, I'm attending a wedding in Seattle in August. I'm actually going to be a bridesmaid which is a first for me...I'm excited and nervous at the same time! I'm going to go to Vancouver & Victoria which are both very beautiful! I'm hoping to buy some nice Indian jewelry when I'm down in Vancouver! This place is a Desi mecca and has one of the largest Indian populations outside of India...Looking forward to reconnecting with my roots!!! I miss India, but Vancouver is on my top ten list of places to see!!!

Get ready for Trips Galore 2007!!

I'll keep writing on my blog!!!

I'm Back!!!!

2007-01-12T05:41:00.000-08:00

I reached Denver the day before yesterday after a loooonnnngggg flight with several delays, but we finally made it! I had a wonderful trip and enjoyed meeting family in India, going through the backwaters in Kerala, exploring the palaces in Spain, and eating croissants in France!!! I can't wait to share my pictures with you! Looking forward to seeing you all soon!

Ciao Ciao, Namaste, Salaam, Adios!!!!

Hola Mis Amigos....From Spain! Ole!!!

2007-01-04T11:01:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone had a fantastic New Years! I heard about the crazy weather in Denver and hope you are all staying warm and dry! I´m enjoying Spain and I just traveled from Barcelona to Sevilla by train last night! Train travel is quite an adventure especially when you are sharing a room with your family and you have to get off the train within 5 minutes, but have 8 pieces of luggage to get off the train!! We all made it off the train in one piece!

When I think of Spain, I think of bullfighting....castles...siestas....tapas...sangria (me gusta sangria mucho!!!)...Gaudi...amazing architecture....flamenco...all wrapped up into one amazing package....I love the Spanish culture!!!! I saw some awesome sights in Barcelona including La Ramblas, The Gothic Quarter, Gaudi´s Casa Batllo, Gaudi´s Park Guell, the Diagonal Avenue, a boisterous flamenco performance, La Pedrera, Tibidabo (a view of all of Spain from the top), and the grand La Sagrada Familia (I even went to the top)...Today we reached Sevilla and I got a chance to see the palace, Alcanzar, and rome through the streets of Sevilla....I saw a fun and festive musical performance today in one of the many plazas located throughout Sevilla! Tomorrow, I´m planning on going to Granada, then Cordoba...Afterwards I head back to France and then back to Denver!!! One of the best trips I have ever been on in my 25 years (woohoo it´s my b-day in 2 days and I turn 25)!!!!! 2 entirely separate continents and the sights have been out of this world ranging from the temples of India to the churches and palaces of Europe! It´s been one hell of a ride!!!!

I hope you are all doing well and I can´t wait to see you all!

:) :) :)

Paris.....Bonjour

2006-12-29T12:49:00.000-08:00

Right now Im in Paris enjoying the city of lights....heading to Spain tomorrow for the New Years! Wishing everyone a very happy & joyous new Years! best wishes to you all!

On to Paris!!!!

2006-12-23T23:26:00.000-08:00

My India trip comes to an end today...I had a great time seeing all the amazing sights and meeting all the wonderful people! Kerala was beautiful and extremely hot in the middle of December! I heard that it snowed a couple of feet in CO! Now I am heading to France and then to Spain! I am planning on visiting Barcelona and Madrid...Yesterday I finished my trip off with the movie Kabul Express and I went to Great Punjab restaurant! Looking forward to seeing Spain! Will keep you posted....Happy Holidays to Everyone!

:) :) :)

In God's Own Country

2006-12-16T05:35:00.000-08:00

I'm in this small mountain town in Munnar which is in South India using the Internet! Munnar has numerous tea plantations and is surrounded by beautiful mountains! Yesterday, I visited a national park and viewed mountain goats...Tomorrow I am heading off to Thekkady...I also took a boat tour around Cochin and went to this very cool area called "Jew Town" where all the Jewish people live (30-40 of them)...I got a chance to go inside the Jewish synagogue which was amazing...After Thekkady, I am heading off to Trivanderum, Kovalam, and Kanikumari!!! South India is "God's Own Country" as the locals call it!

Will keep you posted!

Coconut Water...It's Good for Your Daughter!!!

2006-12-11T22:42:00.000-08:00

I thought this famous song by Harry Belefonte about Coconut Water related to me consuming lots of coconut water on Juhu Beach...It Got a Lot of Iron and Makes Her Strong Like a Lion!! This beach is pretty and there are plenty of coconut stalls to get your fill of coconut water! I also consumed numerous idlis and vadas at Woodlands Restaurant in Juhu Beach! This restaurant was fantastic and their mosambi (fresh orange juice) was out of this world!! I visited the beautiful Kanhari Caves located in Sanjeev Gandhi National Park...These caves are a piece of history and contain hundreds of Buddhist carvings and statues that were made by Buddhist monks thousands of years ago! I saw numerous bandhars (monkeys) hanging out and surveying the food scene!! I finished the day off by visiting In Orbit Mall in Malad, which is the new technological center in India. I saw several modern call centers, apartments, and tall buildings which reflect the new India!!! The rise of technology and call centers in India is definitely playing an integral role depicting how India is changing!

Choki Dani - Beautiful Village!

2006-12-10T10:17:00.000-08:00

In Jaipur I went to this wonderful place called Choki Dani...This was a place that was designed after a small Rajastani town...When we first entered we were greeted with red tikka and we were showered with rose petals as well as with the phrase, "Ram Ram Sa"...which means Greetings & Goodbye in Rajastani...We saw amazing dances by girls holding pots on their heads, went on camel rides, went on bullock cart rides, ate traditional Rajastani food while seated on the floor, went shopping in the village marketplace, played archery games and darts, and I even dressed up in a traditional Rajastani outfit!!! I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who is visiting Jaipur...They are opening Choki Dani in Mumbai, Pune, Indore and other place throughout India as well! This was a definite must see and captured the true essence of Rajastan!!!! So to everybody...Ram Ram Sa!!!

Ajmer...Ranthambore....Jaipur...The Fun Continues!!!

2006-12-09T08:15:00.000-08:00

I just came back from my North India yesterday night and it was an awesome trip!!! First, I went to Ajmer and Pushkar and enjoyed a true shopper's paradise!!! I bought bags, kurtis, jewelry, bandini chunnis!!!! Also, got to go to Ranthambore National Park on a Jeep safari....Although we didn't see any tigers, we saw lots of deer, monkeys, birds, crocodiles, and other animals!!! Ajmer has several ruins including a Dargha, Jain Temple, Dhai-din-ka jhompra...These sights were amazing....Jaipur, "The Pink City" is beautiful and I got a chance to see the Amber Palace which is truly one of the most amazing sights on Earth!!! I am heading to South India in the next few days once Sonia gets here!!! I am looking forward to touring the backwaters and seeing Cochin, Munnar, Trivendrum, Kerela....Today I saw Dhoom 2 in Mumbai and all I have to say is Dhoom Machale!!! It is a great movie and Hritik is extremely HOT!!! I would definitely recommend Dhoom 2 to everyone!!! I am definitely experiencing my culture and sanskriti in full force!!!

Janpath Rocks!!! Shopping Galore!

2006-11-28T04:17:00.000-08:00

I reached New Delhi last Saturday and what a trip it has been so far!!! My relatives are stuffing my face full of good food....Mera peth bauth he baragaya yaa (My stomach is too full)!!! So far I have been to Akshar Dham temple, Connaught Place, India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Bauji da Dhaba, Gurgaon Malls, Sai Baba temple, Shiva statue, Shopping on Janpath which was amazing...This is a famous street located in Delhi which has a diverse multitude of shops ranging from handicrafts, to bags, to kurtis and skirts...the list goes on & on...I saw the shop owners tear down all their shops on Janpath because the gov. officials came through and tried to shut them down (they had used up the sidewalk space, which they weren't supposed to do...plus the gov. officials want their paisa (money) for their own benefit)!! Here's a photo of the shopowners wrapping up!! As soon as the gov. officials left, they set up their shops again! I am heading to Ajmer on Friday and will go to Pushkar...Afterwards, I am going to Rathambore Forest for a safari and to Jaipur...Sonia is coming in 2 weeks and I can't wait to tour South India with her!

Idli and Sambar for Thanksgiving!!!

2006-11-24T04:51:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! I'm still in Pune and celebrated Thanksgiving with Idli and Sambar and Bata Vadas...Yum Yum...Anyhow, headed out to Delhi tomorrow....Pune was awesome...Saw amazing temples...Went to Shiridi...Saw Forts...Went to the Osho Commune and lovely botanic gardens....Went to Agkhan Palace (where Gandhi and Kasturba were kept under house arrest for many years...Kasturba eventually passed away here), visited Shaniwar Wada...Went to Peshlawer Caves!! Will keep you posted in Delhi!!!

Mumbai Se Gayi Pune!!!!

2006-11-20T18:56:00.000-08:00

I'm off to Pune, and on the way I'll stop at Lonalava and Khandala...hoping to see the Karla and Baja caves on the way!!!! I am looking forward to meeting family in New Delhi and seeing the palaces and forts in Jaipur, Ajmer, Pushkar, and hopefully Jaislmer!!!!Will keep you posted!

Pune has great shopping malls!!! Here's a picture of me with my favorite Bollywood stars!!! Dhoom it up!!! I bought the soundtrack and the songs are addictive!!

Mumbai...The City That Never Sleeps

2006-11-19T09:19:00.000-08:00

Today I got a chance to explore and take in all the sights, smells, and sounds of Mumbai! I saw the beautiful Siddhi Vinayak Temple which was incredibly crowded....There were about 10,000 people shoving and pushing their way into a room designed for 100 people!!!! The Ganesh statue in the temple was amazing, along with Ganesh's transport...a small rat! I saw all my mom's high school friends which was a lot of fun...A trip down memory lane...Jehangir Art Gallery had some interesting art exhibits up...Mani Bhavan...Gandhiji's home was thought provoking....Saw the masses of humanity walking up and down Marine Drive....Went to McDonald's desi style khaana...Had a Maharaja Mac (chicken burger) and a McAloo Tiki Burger....Yum Yum....Drove past Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly known as VT...Victoria Terminus)...What a day, What a day!!! Finished it by going to this awesome restaurant in Bandra...Spice Tree....It was delicious...Had paneer makhni, garlic naan, the best raita ever (to cleanse the palate)....tandoori fish...I could go on and on, but I'll leave the rest for you to imagine!!! Looking forward to going to Film City tomorrow to check out Whistling Woods Institute (Subash Ghai's film school)...Will let you know if I meet any famous Bollywood stars!!!!

Adventures in the Mother Land

2006-11-17T20:43:00.000-08:00

So whenever I come to India, crazy things happen to me....That is to be expected!!! I'm sure those of you who have gone to India, would say that everyday is an adventure! So let me list some ot the interesting, crazy things that have happened so far...

- Yesterday we were in an autorickshaw (these three wheeled small vehicles) and our driver was going extremely fast...Driving in India is like playing a video game (frogger)...You have all these people walking from all sides, animals crossing (cows, pigs, dogs, elephants, camels), and the rickshaws are trying to navigate through the narrow streets along with buses, trucks, large 4X4's and other vehicles...Our autorickshaw mowed this lady down...She appeared to be okay, but that was scary!!! These autorickshaws zip in and out of traffic and it seems like they are playing highway chess!!!

- When we arrived from the airport, we all stuffed ourselves along with all of our luggage, in a car designed for 4 people...So 5 people in a car...along with 7 pieces of luggage...Now I know what it feels like when I see 10 people stuffed in an autorickshaw or any car for that matter in Bharat...I've already experimented with the game, "How many people can you stuff in a Beetle?" What an adventure!!!

I'm sure other interesting, wild, crazy events will occur in the next few days...I'll keep you posted...More adventures in the mother land!!!

:)

Finally Here!!!

2006-11-16T20:12:00.000-08:00

I'm finally in the city that never sleeps.....Mumbai!!! The flight was long, long, loooonnnggg, but we are here! All the things I can think of that are related to Bombay.....Bombay Rockers....Bombay Dreams.....Love and Longing in Bombay.....Bombay Talkies....Bombay Bazaar....Bombay!!!! I am going out in a bit for my haircut and manicure...Woohoo....Let the fun begin!

Take-Off!

2006-11-14T23:21:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow I take off to Bharat!!! Look at me in my desi outfit! Plan to do lots of shopping in India (Mumbai & Delhi)!! Hooray!!!! Will post once I get there!!

The Beginning

2006-11-07T16:12:00.000-08:00

I leave for India in approximately 7 days, 6 hours, and 15 minutes!!! This is the trip of a lifetime! For now, I plan to go to Mumbai, Pune, New Delhi, Amritsar, Jaipur, and tour the backwaters of South India. I am hoping to check out Film City in Mumbai (Bombay for some of us desis!!!) The Golden Temple in Amritsar looks mind blowing! I will keep you updated once I take off!