- kahlil gibran
Kahlil and I have grown extremely close recently. I've read four of his books in the last few days. Man's a genius. Poet on a different plane.
Anyhow, quick question shot into space...
do you think it's possible to live without regrets? Take it to mean what you will. But I'm wondering what people think.
...
I've been trying to make a conscious effort to let my mind visualize how I want my future to look .. and, as a strange side effect, I've been having some *crazy* dreams. The cool thing is that my dreams will usually finish off the things I'm thinking about while I'm awake- except I'm not controlling my dreams and they're super vivid. Try it. It sounds hokey, i know, but man do I wake up happy.
:)
My parents and brothers are going to be here in less than 2 weeks! So excited. My uncle and his family may come too... meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!
---------
and... kote swiped his mom's mobile... so you actually *can* get ahold of me until the 26th of July. Gujarat mobile 987968871.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
speechless... and then some.
so many things to say...
first and foremost- my brother is now 21! yeah, you heard right. t-w-e-n-t-y o-n-e. and I am a across an ocean. on a scale from 1 to jerkofasister I am pretty high up there. In any case, I love you vimz, Happy Birthday!
We had our exhibition in the village.... absolute madness. I don't think I'll be able to do complete sentences ... so good luck:
setting up the space
*painted the space... required going out into the desert with some kids, collecting rocks, smashing them, soaking them in water and painting with the clay that's created (!!!). Deep marroons and white, gray, ... a yellow that we couldn't find....
*a guy from northern England, Bipin, came to help us out. The boy is amazing, a godsend....
the story begins with a freak downpour 2 days before the event. My broken toes and I need to get to the other side of the village but a river (!!) has suddenly formed (the soil here doesn't absorb water) bisecting the village. 2 men insist on walking on either side of me b/c they're afraid I'll get swept up in the current... and I have to take off my shoes 1/2 way across b/c they keep getting stuck in the mud... so, of course, I hurt my foot again (it was numb by the end of the day.) So anyway, Bipin, ends up finishing the paint job, helps the tent guy set up ... finds a woman to help clean & fill water .. .. all while fighting off a goat who kept coming in and eating our supplies.... :) He's was lifesaver I tell ya, with a capital L and three v's.
the event
the good
*the women sold over 10,000 rps. worth of their work- every embroidery design, every color palate, every product design, and every price was a conscious choice of the woman artisan who created it.... (which added to the 40,000 rps of the 1st exhibition, they've collective generated 1/2 a lakh through their work).
*the Hindu and Muslim women got to meet for the 2nd time post earthquake- they had combined meetings (some self initiated), some women presented the exhibition to the women who weren't able to come, they spent 2 days hanging out together... :)
*the exhibition panels and permanent collection are ready for presentation to all of the area design schools as well as development and handicraft NGO's
*some of the women are taking up the initiative to have their own exhibition in 2 wks (w/ minimal to none of our help)
the bad
*a Muslim leader tried to shut down the entire event b/c apparently we had gotten involved in some sort of power play btw a village elder and the village sirpanch (a govt representative). Many of the teenage women had to leave to save face.
the ugly
*a brother-in-law of a Muslim woman who had attended both days of the event suddenly came to the event and began to hit the woman for attending- she ran home and he walked after her... (I still can't even process it- it all went down so fast... and right in front of me... )
...
after it happened, I had a conversation with the other women and girls from her village...the brother in law apparently hits her often. I told them they should go straight home if that was something that might happen to them. They said no, but were worried that he might come back (for me (!))(no worries, I was in no danger whatever). But I did tell them that I would rather he came after me than her. ....
which is when one of my favorite little girls, Noori, about 11 years old- super sweet and usually really quiet and shy, says 'rup, if he ever tried to lay a finger on you, every woman and girl here would stand up and chase him away.'
____________________________________________
it's strange to see how close I've come to nature out here...
I notice things like the phase of the moon... or changes in the wind or changes in the humidity and I find myself praying for rain so their farms will grow...
in any case,
the rainy season is approaching, the heat is lightening up (which means tourists will start arriving again), dates and apples and spinach are back in season.... it's all a flashback to how it was when I had first arrived here.
The seasons have fully circled back to one... signaling that this fellowship, my year, is almost over.
Holy. God.
first and foremost- my brother is now 21! yeah, you heard right. t-w-e-n-t-y o-n-e. and I am a across an ocean. on a scale from 1 to jerkofasister I am pretty high up there. In any case, I love you vimz, Happy Birthday!
We had our exhibition in the village.... absolute madness. I don't think I'll be able to do complete sentences ... so good luck:
setting up the space
*painted the space... required going out into the desert with some kids, collecting rocks, smashing them, soaking them in water and painting with the clay that's created (!!!). Deep marroons and white, gray, ... a yellow that we couldn't find....
*a guy from northern England, Bipin, came to help us out. The boy is amazing, a godsend....
the story begins with a freak downpour 2 days before the event. My broken toes and I need to get to the other side of the village but a river (!!) has suddenly formed (the soil here doesn't absorb water) bisecting the village. 2 men insist on walking on either side of me b/c they're afraid I'll get swept up in the current... and I have to take off my shoes 1/2 way across b/c they keep getting stuck in the mud... so, of course, I hurt my foot again (it was numb by the end of the day.) So anyway, Bipin, ends up finishing the paint job, helps the tent guy set up ... finds a woman to help clean & fill water .. .. all while fighting off a goat who kept coming in and eating our supplies.... :) He's was lifesaver I tell ya, with a capital L and three v's.
the event
the good
*the women sold over 10,000 rps. worth of their work- every embroidery design, every color palate, every product design, and every price was a conscious choice of the woman artisan who created it.... (which added to the 40,000 rps of the 1st exhibition, they've collective generated 1/2 a lakh through their work).
*the Hindu and Muslim women got to meet for the 2nd time post earthquake- they had combined meetings (some self initiated), some women presented the exhibition to the women who weren't able to come, they spent 2 days hanging out together... :)
*the exhibition panels and permanent collection are ready for presentation to all of the area design schools as well as development and handicraft NGO's
*some of the women are taking up the initiative to have their own exhibition in 2 wks (w/ minimal to none of our help)
the bad
*a Muslim leader tried to shut down the entire event b/c apparently we had gotten involved in some sort of power play btw a village elder and the village sirpanch (a govt representative). Many of the teenage women had to leave to save face.
the ugly
*a brother-in-law of a Muslim woman who had attended both days of the event suddenly came to the event and began to hit the woman for attending- she ran home and he walked after her... (I still can't even process it- it all went down so fast... and right in front of me... )
...
after it happened, I had a conversation with the other women and girls from her village...the brother in law apparently hits her often. I told them they should go straight home if that was something that might happen to them. They said no, but were worried that he might come back (for me (!))(no worries, I was in no danger whatever). But I did tell them that I would rather he came after me than her. ....
which is when one of my favorite little girls, Noori, about 11 years old- super sweet and usually really quiet and shy, says 'rup, if he ever tried to lay a finger on you, every woman and girl here would stand up and chase him away.'
____________________________________________
it's strange to see how close I've come to nature out here...
I notice things like the phase of the moon... or changes in the wind or changes in the humidity and I find myself praying for rain so their farms will grow...
in any case,
the rainy season is approaching, the heat is lightening up (which means tourists will start arriving again), dates and apples and spinach are back in season.... it's all a flashback to how it was when I had first arrived here.
The seasons have fully circled back to one... signaling that this fellowship, my year, is almost over.
Holy. God.
Sunday, June 26, 2005
a small addendum
I *sincerely* appreciate everyone remembering my birthday, even as I'm so far out of sight and out of mind. Yay! It could've easily snowballed into a pitiful day. But it didn't, and for that, I thank you. Much love.
Ok, so I won't name any names...
Someone... actually one of my all time favorite people ever... calls my house, talks to my parents on my birthday.... (the following is a realtime transcript of the conversation):
unnamed friend: I'm probably moving out of Chicago.
my mom (joking around) : why? you got a boyfriend?
unnamed friend (not joking around) : yeah, actually, that is why.
my mom (shocked) : really? does rups have a secret boyfriend too?
unnamed friend: I'm probably moving out of Chicago.
my mom (joking around) : why? you got a boyfriend?
unnamed friend (not joking around) : yeah, actually, that is why.
my mom (shocked) : really? does rups have a secret boyfriend too?
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Saturday, June 18, 2005
double take
Everyone up on this piece knows I got malaria, right? Got it *twice* in the first half of the year. That was lots of fun.
Then, 2 months ago, I broke a toe playing ultimate frisbee... which, apparently, wasn't good enough for me; we just went to an adventure retreat to Panchmari, MP, where I fall out of a mango tree and manage to break three toes (including rebreaking the original)! Gwah!!!!
This year is just too much. But, no worries. I am fine. :)
In other news, I just went rappelling off a cliff (yes, before, the tree fall). Scariest physical thing I have ever, ever done. I didn't want to do it when I got to the top...
(this year has taught me that I have trust issues with letting myself free fall backwards)
but the guy up top literally nudges me off the peak to a point that I can't climb back up...
And the only option left was down.
I almost passed out...
but, man, when I finally hit the ground, I felt like the strongest woman ever.
On a lighter note, I had been aching to go swimming for a long while now. Living where I am, it proves a bit difficult to always have drinking water, let alone to go swimming.
But, in MP, we hiked to a waterfall. The others literally had to drag me out. I was so satisfied.
****
6 weeks left in the fellowship --> the countdown begins. Holy jeebus.
****
To my poets:
I'm gonna miss this year's VONA!
Noooooooooooooo!!!
I am really missin you guys and our collective voice. I know y'all are still writing and the thought makes me really happy. I've been meaning to get some of the work I've done this year out to you guys, but my net access, as you can imagine, has been minimal.
However, I have gotten some articles published in random places. I actually just found out that one just got published in a newspaper called India Abroad. It's a gradual process, but it's a start.
Much love. Chase the things that inspire you and keep writing. I'm definitely thinking of you guys.
I want to unfold.
Let no place in me hold itself closed,
for where I am closed,
I am false.
I want to stay clear in your sight.
-- Rilke (from the Book of Hours)
Then, 2 months ago, I broke a toe playing ultimate frisbee... which, apparently, wasn't good enough for me; we just went to an adventure retreat to Panchmari, MP, where I fall out of a mango tree and manage to break three toes (including rebreaking the original)! Gwah!!!!
This year is just too much. But, no worries. I am fine. :)
In other news, I just went rappelling off a cliff (yes, before, the tree fall). Scariest physical thing I have ever, ever done. I didn't want to do it when I got to the top...
(this year has taught me that I have trust issues with letting myself free fall backwards)
but the guy up top literally nudges me off the peak to a point that I can't climb back up...
And the only option left was down.
I almost passed out...
but, man, when I finally hit the ground, I felt like the strongest woman ever.
On a lighter note, I had been aching to go swimming for a long while now. Living where I am, it proves a bit difficult to always have drinking water, let alone to go swimming.
But, in MP, we hiked to a waterfall. The others literally had to drag me out. I was so satisfied.
****
6 weeks left in the fellowship --> the countdown begins. Holy jeebus.
****
To my poets:
I'm gonna miss this year's VONA!
Noooooooooooooo!!!
I am really missin you guys and our collective voice. I know y'all are still writing and the thought makes me really happy. I've been meaning to get some of the work I've done this year out to you guys, but my net access, as you can imagine, has been minimal.
However, I have gotten some articles published in random places. I actually just found out that one just got published in a newspaper called India Abroad. It's a gradual process, but it's a start.
Much love. Chase the things that inspire you and keep writing. I'm definitely thinking of you guys.
I want to unfold.
Let no place in me hold itself closed,
for where I am closed,
I am false.
I want to stay clear in your sight.
-- Rilke (from the Book of Hours)
You should go...
.. this guy spoke at our orientation- he's intense and super versed in, well, building bridges. And, he's in town on my birthday (you didn't forget did you?!)
Anyhow, Vimz especially, you'd like him. Go if you can:
The Coalition for Building Bridges of Understanding
Cordially invites you to a meeting and discussion with Shri Harsh Mander
On Friday, June 24, 2005, 6:45 PM, At Lincolnwood City Hall, 6900 N. Lincoln Avenue, Lincolnwood. Dinner will be provided. Mr. Mander is a strong voice in India for social justice, pluralism, religious tolerance, communal harmony and the rule of law. He is a respected activist, a well-known public speaker and a reputed author. He was awarded the Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award for peace work, and the M.A.Thomas National Human Rights Award in 2002. Mr. Mander will talk about strengthening Indian democracy and promoting social Justice in this inter-active meeting. Please join us for a lively discussion.
For more information call: (630) 971-9873
Anyhow, Vimz especially, you'd like him. Go if you can:
The Coalition for Building Bridges of Understanding
Cordially invites you to a meeting and discussion with Shri Harsh Mander
On Friday, June 24, 2005, 6:45 PM, At Lincolnwood City Hall, 6900 N. Lincoln Avenue, Lincolnwood. Dinner will be provided. Mr. Mander is a strong voice in India for social justice, pluralism, religious tolerance, communal harmony and the rule of law. He is a respected activist, a well-known public speaker and a reputed author. He was awarded the Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award for peace work, and the M.A.Thomas National Human Rights Award in 2002. Mr. Mander will talk about strengthening Indian democracy and promoting social Justice in this inter-active meeting. Please join us for a lively discussion.
For more information call: (630) 971-9873
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Now we will count to twelve
and we will all keep still.
For once on the face of the earth
let's not speak in any language,
let's stop for one second,
and not move our arms so much.
It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines,
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.
Fishermen in the cold sea
would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would look at his hurt hands.
Those who prepare green wars,
wars with gas, wars with fire,
victory with no survivors,
would put on clean clothes
and walk about with their brothers
in the shade, doing nothing.
What I want should not be confused
with total inactivity.
Life is what it is about;
I want no truck with death.
If we were not so single-minded
about keeping our lives moving,
and for once could do nothing,
perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with death.
Perhaps the earth can teach us
as when everything seems dead
and later proves to be alive.
Now I'll count up to twelve
and you keep quiet and I will go.
-- Pablo Neruda
and we will all keep still.
For once on the face of the earth
let's not speak in any language,
let's stop for one second,
and not move our arms so much.
It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines,
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.
Fishermen in the cold sea
would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would look at his hurt hands.
Those who prepare green wars,
wars with gas, wars with fire,
victory with no survivors,
would put on clean clothes
and walk about with their brothers
in the shade, doing nothing.
What I want should not be confused
with total inactivity.
Life is what it is about;
I want no truck with death.
If we were not so single-minded
about keeping our lives moving,
and for once could do nothing,
perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with death.
Perhaps the earth can teach us
as when everything seems dead
and later proves to be alive.
Now I'll count up to twelve
and you keep quiet and I will go.
-- Pablo Neruda
Monday, June 06, 2005
culture shock x 298739483984273984 =
this moment. Ask me where I am.
Yesterday, I finished errands ... walked out to to the farthest reaches of the villages...mid afternoon... 120+ degrees. ...
EEEEES HOT OUT HERE!!!
... then we hop a jeep with no doors and blow through a sand storm to a village about 25 km away. It's the village of this super sweet man that works with us. His son is getting married in 2 days; so we congradulate the groom before we head out of town for two weeks on business. (writing our research paper, then a retreat in Madhya Pradesh)
Point of ramblings:
Yesterday, at this time, I was pulling through villages in the midafternoon desert heat and sandstorms....
Today, I am writing a research paper on my laptop. I'm in a coffee shop in big city Ahmedabad. With wireless internet access. With an apple-walnut protein shake ( it's soooo good...). In air conditioning!!! And the things on the menu... things such as macchiatos or red bull or a brownie with ice cream?!?!?. Whoa.
Can we say culture shock?
.. yet at the same time, it's a total flashback to college. Cept the coffee here is better. As is the scene out the window.
Ok, my five day deadline on this paper looms. Must get back to work. Much love.
Yesterday, I finished errands ... walked out to to the farthest reaches of the villages...mid afternoon... 120+ degrees. ...
EEEEES HOT OUT HERE!!!
... then we hop a jeep with no doors and blow through a sand storm to a village about 25 km away. It's the village of this super sweet man that works with us. His son is getting married in 2 days; so we congradulate the groom before we head out of town for two weeks on business. (writing our research paper, then a retreat in Madhya Pradesh)
Point of ramblings:
Yesterday, at this time, I was pulling through villages in the midafternoon desert heat and sandstorms....
Today, I am writing a research paper on my laptop. I'm in a coffee shop in big city Ahmedabad. With wireless internet access. With an apple-walnut protein shake ( it's soooo good...). In air conditioning!!! And the things on the menu... things such as macchiatos or red bull or a brownie with ice cream?!?!?. Whoa.
Can we say culture shock?
.. yet at the same time, it's a total flashback to college. Cept the coffee here is better. As is the scene out the window.
Ok, my five day deadline on this paper looms. Must get back to work. Much love.
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
spring clean up
translation? my email is not cooperating...
so i'm responding on this mofo, my link to the world back home.
My brother is officially a senior in college!!!! I'm so proud that i'm blushing. Yay, Vimz! (Did you ever get the package I sent?... make sure you set up forwarding your mail to home @ the post office.) I'm so excited to see you guys in July!!!
Jennaiya!!! You owe me 75435425 punches in the nose. Your birthday came and it went and I was too far removed from calendars to know. Aaaa! Please, forgive me. Happy Birthday Babydoll! Btw, you have yet to send a mailing address.. ; send your cell # too. My email is still (mywholename)@gmail.com. It should be working fine when the computers here aren't throwing temper tantrums. :) Give our corners and Mama G a huge hug for me.
Robyn!! Happy freakin Bday to you too!!!
Aditya, i know that picture isn't so great. But broke ass!?! I'd like to see how much of a rockstar *you* look like after a year of living like the salt of the earth in the desert. :P
Nikhil- the CD's and magazines rock! Thank you sooooooo much! I put the 1st CD in and homesickness washed over me like no one's business.... but in a good way. :) Totally made my week. Thank you!
Hardyduss, I miss you tons too. Congrats on finishing pharm school! You should celebrate--- come visit me! I guarantee you won't regret it. It's amazingly beautiful out here. And there's 2 bicycles and on open desert horizon with our names on them. ;)
*****************************************************
Now, down to business. This fellowship is over in 2.5 months. I have a huge decision in front of me. Anand, Indicorps founder, wants me to stay another year on a paid PR position. Awesome opportunity- writing, putting together a collective book and videos, counseling projects, traveling... it would be amazing. And it would put together a lot of the pieces for me.... laying an amazing foundation for the things I want to get into when I get back... (and I would have time to apply to grad school)
There's also an opening at UNESCO (i.e. the united nations!!) that this project has given me the perfect entry for. It's kind of funny how life gives you exactly what you ask from it. I've been wanting to work for the UN since I was in high school. ... and now there's an opportunity that is punching me in the face: "here I am. Exactly what you said you wanted. An international career. In the field of art. Empowering communities. Falling asleep at night *knowing* you're doing something that matters. Something that fits."
So the problem? I am ready to come home. I miss my family. I miss my friends. My brothers, the most important thing to me ever, are growing up without me. Quite literally, a 16th bday, a 21st bday, a driver's license (!), a senior in college. My mom is the president of our samaj. my dad is now running daily (!). My friends are all at some crazy amazing turning points. And the first corners' trip is planned for this sept. Home is pulling me back relentlessly.
But I think I need some time to readjust. I need to stay in India a while. To unromanticize the idea of India in my head. Because, realistically, India is not the adventure that I have been on this past year. It's a nation like any other, with a wide disparity btw socio-economic classes. It's got a highly standardized, globalized urban yuppie city culture (my favorite... ummm... right....). But it's also got masses of people who live on very little, who are mostly illiterate, surviving on the strengths they have, surviving on 'whatever God gives them'. Neither end of the spectrum is bad, I've come to realize. It's all in the eye of the beholder. India's got a whole lot of character and beauty if you know what you are looking for.
Anyway, I am considering staying (a few months max). It's still a debate at this point. Questions/ comments/ concerns? Email me. or call.
Much love.
PEACE.
so i'm responding on this mofo, my link to the world back home.
My brother is officially a senior in college!!!! I'm so proud that i'm blushing. Yay, Vimz! (Did you ever get the package I sent?... make sure you set up forwarding your mail to home @ the post office.) I'm so excited to see you guys in July!!!
Jennaiya!!! You owe me 75435425 punches in the nose. Your birthday came and it went and I was too far removed from calendars to know. Aaaa! Please, forgive me. Happy Birthday Babydoll! Btw, you have yet to send a mailing address.. ; send your cell # too. My email is still (mywholename)@gmail.com. It should be working fine when the computers here aren't throwing temper tantrums. :) Give our corners and Mama G a huge hug for me.
Robyn!! Happy freakin Bday to you too!!!
Aditya, i know that picture isn't so great. But broke ass!?! I'd like to see how much of a rockstar *you* look like after a year of living like the salt of the earth in the desert. :P
Nikhil- the CD's and magazines rock! Thank you sooooooo much! I put the 1st CD in and homesickness washed over me like no one's business.... but in a good way. :) Totally made my week. Thank you!
Hardyduss, I miss you tons too. Congrats on finishing pharm school! You should celebrate--- come visit me! I guarantee you won't regret it. It's amazingly beautiful out here. And there's 2 bicycles and on open desert horizon with our names on them. ;)
*****************************************************
Now, down to business. This fellowship is over in 2.5 months. I have a huge decision in front of me. Anand, Indicorps founder, wants me to stay another year on a paid PR position. Awesome opportunity- writing, putting together a collective book and videos, counseling projects, traveling... it would be amazing. And it would put together a lot of the pieces for me.... laying an amazing foundation for the things I want to get into when I get back... (and I would have time to apply to grad school)
There's also an opening at UNESCO (i.e. the united nations!!) that this project has given me the perfect entry for. It's kind of funny how life gives you exactly what you ask from it. I've been wanting to work for the UN since I was in high school. ... and now there's an opportunity that is punching me in the face: "here I am. Exactly what you said you wanted. An international career. In the field of art. Empowering communities. Falling asleep at night *knowing* you're doing something that matters. Something that fits."
So the problem? I am ready to come home. I miss my family. I miss my friends. My brothers, the most important thing to me ever, are growing up without me. Quite literally, a 16th bday, a 21st bday, a driver's license (!), a senior in college. My mom is the president of our samaj. my dad is now running daily (!). My friends are all at some crazy amazing turning points. And the first corners' trip is planned for this sept. Home is pulling me back relentlessly.
But I think I need some time to readjust. I need to stay in India a while. To unromanticize the idea of India in my head. Because, realistically, India is not the adventure that I have been on this past year. It's a nation like any other, with a wide disparity btw socio-economic classes. It's got a highly standardized, globalized urban yuppie city culture (my favorite... ummm... right....). But it's also got masses of people who live on very little, who are mostly illiterate, surviving on the strengths they have, surviving on 'whatever God gives them'. Neither end of the spectrum is bad, I've come to realize. It's all in the eye of the beholder. India's got a whole lot of character and beauty if you know what you are looking for.
Anyway, I am considering staying (a few months max). It's still a debate at this point. Questions/ comments/ concerns? Email me. or call.
Much love.
PEACE.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Breathe in,
breathe out. Aaaaa....
so many things to say.
Ok, first things first. My dada is feeling better. Still in the hospital, but stable. Yay! *sigh of relief* Because he had come to visit me a few months earlier, the people in my village keep asking how he's doing, how he's feeling. Now that is community. :) Someone pass him word that everyone on this end is pulling for him. Everyone, including people he has yet to meet.
Next, someone give my two brothers a big hug from me. I miss them so much.
And Mom for mom's day. Sorry to be so far!
....
Now, I think I might notice this more than everyone else who is 'wrapped all up in it' (whereas I am a bit removed for the moment.) Life is unbelievable. Everyone I know is in an amazing transition right now. And b/c my contact w/ ppl is fewer and farther btw, I can SEE how much the people I love are growing. It is an INCREDIBLE thing to notice.
---> this realization begins with some great news. Angela Patel, who, incidently, was *convinced* that she would never make it through high school, is graduating with a Masters in Social Work from Colombia. GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My baby's growin up!!! Someone hug her for me. (Then kick her as hard as you can.) I am so proud of you beta!
....
As for me, I'm doin ok. My toe is healing (I got an Xray taken finally, and it's going to be fine.... btw, I have the cutest toe bones evah!) *wink*
and...
I HELD MY FIRST ART EXHIBITION EVER! Such an overwhelming experience, I don't know where to begin. We convinced the village men to let 20 of their women come out to Ahmedbad to be a part of their first exhibition of their work. THEY CAME!!! 20 women, who had never left their village before, came out to big city A'bad. We wanted them to see for themselves, the buzz that has been created over artisans reclaiming ownership of their craft.
We did it all....overnight bus, a roller coaster, meeting the Gujarat minister of education, interacting with artists, designers and shop owners, going to department stores, high end clothing stores, out for ice cream, downtown, a movie.... 3 days of craziness. THE MEN AGREED (on the condition of 4 male escorts from the village.) We also took 4 boys from the villages, who are super promising at their studies, to enroll them at a great boarding school in A'bad. The publicity was unreal: articles in the Times of India, Mumbai Samachar, Divya Baskar AND, randomly enough, the Sunday London Times.
Now, here's the excitingest part. Anyone read the tipping point by malcolm Gladwell? It's about how movements are started and how they gain momentum. Basically, a whole lot of groundwork is laid, and then it just takes one small trigger to tip the scale. I have yet to see if I am getting ahead of myself, but I think we hit it. The difference in their cooperation, their understanding, the DESIGNS and QUALITY of their work is UNFUCKINBELIEVABLE. (excuse the language- i am too excited) A popular motif in their last piece was peacocks, because they saw peacocks roaming around for the first time! And suddenly, the women are thinking about their work. They are drawing inspiration from their surroundings, from their experiences, from their lives- they are evolving their traditional art themselves. They have ready replies for WHY they chose a particular (motif, color palate, spacing, layout) anything.
Sorry if this is rambling. I'm on a huge high right now. This is what they are talking about when they are talking about empowerment. Letting the people reclaim who they already are.
The majority of the handicraft work done in India is all about 'reviving tradtional art' via income generation. ... i.e. giving the women pre stenciled designed cloth, kits of thread in the colors of the design, and a sample of what the finished product should look like. Like labor work...
Which I am not knocking, b/c it is necessary to give these women work, and the women do not argue with the money. And their skills in embroidery are used.
But there is an unmatched, unparallelable beauty to have them take ownership of their work. There is a visible difference in how much they enjoy creating the finished product. They debate what looks good, what doesn't. They express opinions. They *argue*. They are suddenly *thinking* about their work. And enjoying the process. And reclaiming ownership. I can't believe that it's actually happening.
Maybe they just had to see it for themselves.
so many things to say.
Ok, first things first. My dada is feeling better. Still in the hospital, but stable. Yay! *sigh of relief* Because he had come to visit me a few months earlier, the people in my village keep asking how he's doing, how he's feeling. Now that is community. :) Someone pass him word that everyone on this end is pulling for him. Everyone, including people he has yet to meet.
Next, someone give my two brothers a big hug from me. I miss them so much.
And Mom for mom's day. Sorry to be so far!
....
Now, I think I might notice this more than everyone else who is 'wrapped all up in it' (whereas I am a bit removed for the moment.) Life is unbelievable. Everyone I know is in an amazing transition right now. And b/c my contact w/ ppl is fewer and farther btw, I can SEE how much the people I love are growing. It is an INCREDIBLE thing to notice.
---> this realization begins with some great news. Angela Patel, who, incidently, was *convinced* that she would never make it through high school, is graduating with a Masters in Social Work from Colombia. GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My baby's growin up!!! Someone hug her for me. (Then kick her as hard as you can.) I am so proud of you beta!
....
As for me, I'm doin ok. My toe is healing (I got an Xray taken finally, and it's going to be fine.... btw, I have the cutest toe bones evah!) *wink*
and...
I HELD MY FIRST ART EXHIBITION EVER! Such an overwhelming experience, I don't know where to begin. We convinced the village men to let 20 of their women come out to Ahmedbad to be a part of their first exhibition of their work. THEY CAME!!! 20 women, who had never left their village before, came out to big city A'bad. We wanted them to see for themselves, the buzz that has been created over artisans reclaiming ownership of their craft.
We did it all....overnight bus, a roller coaster, meeting the Gujarat minister of education, interacting with artists, designers and shop owners, going to department stores, high end clothing stores, out for ice cream, downtown, a movie.... 3 days of craziness. THE MEN AGREED (on the condition of 4 male escorts from the village.) We also took 4 boys from the villages, who are super promising at their studies, to enroll them at a great boarding school in A'bad. The publicity was unreal: articles in the Times of India, Mumbai Samachar, Divya Baskar AND, randomly enough, the Sunday London Times.
Now, here's the excitingest part. Anyone read the tipping point by malcolm Gladwell? It's about how movements are started and how they gain momentum. Basically, a whole lot of groundwork is laid, and then it just takes one small trigger to tip the scale. I have yet to see if I am getting ahead of myself, but I think we hit it. The difference in their cooperation, their understanding, the DESIGNS and QUALITY of their work is UNFUCKINBELIEVABLE. (excuse the language- i am too excited) A popular motif in their last piece was peacocks, because they saw peacocks roaming around for the first time! And suddenly, the women are thinking about their work. They are drawing inspiration from their surroundings, from their experiences, from their lives- they are evolving their traditional art themselves. They have ready replies for WHY they chose a particular (motif, color palate, spacing, layout) anything.
Sorry if this is rambling. I'm on a huge high right now. This is what they are talking about when they are talking about empowerment. Letting the people reclaim who they already are.
The majority of the handicraft work done in India is all about 'reviving tradtional art' via income generation. ... i.e. giving the women pre stenciled designed cloth, kits of thread in the colors of the design, and a sample of what the finished product should look like. Like labor work...
Which I am not knocking, b/c it is necessary to give these women work, and the women do not argue with the money. And their skills in embroidery are used.
But there is an unmatched, unparallelable beauty to have them take ownership of their work. There is a visible difference in how much they enjoy creating the finished product. They debate what looks good, what doesn't. They express opinions. They *argue*. They are suddenly *thinking* about their work. And enjoying the process. And reclaiming ownership. I can't believe that it's actually happening.
Maybe they just had to see it for themselves.
Sunday, May 01, 2005
Ultimate frisbee on the Mumbai shoreline ...
head on collision with Deepa Ganachari. Her unbelievably hard heel meets my toe. 16 days later, it still hurts. Diagnosis: 'fractured,' a medical term meaning 'it's broken.' Geez.
Also, my grandfather is sick. I've decided that spirit and being positive have more of an effect than I give credit. So, everything will be fine. I'm betting on it. And praying for him. I loves him so much.
Also, my grandfather is sick. I've decided that spirit and being positive have more of an effect than I give credit. So, everything will be fine. I'm betting on it. And praying for him. I loves him so much.