A little raving mixed in w/some ranting
Raves
* Chocolate Indulgence Full Body Massage
It began with a small prayer and then scalp massage. This was followed by a thorough rubdown of melted chocolate, body scrub, and then a chocolate body mask. Yes, I was only sporting a small loincloth that was provided to me, but there is no time to be timid when it comes to a massage. The two lady masseuses and I got real familiar real fast. After a 20 minute nap, I woke up to take a shower, after which I was asked to jump into the jacuzzi for 15 minutes. The added bonus was I smelled like chocolate all day :)
* Sweet Lassi & Mosambi Juice
I am so addicted to these two drinks. Sweet lassi is basically yogurt drink w/lime juice. Very filling and supposedly good for digestion. I think I might have mentioned mosambi juice in a previous entry, but I should reiterate how much I love it. Sooo good!
* Care Package
Isn't strange how something so small can make you feel so much better? Gummy candies, cheddar pretzels, bbq sunflower seeds, and some dvds. If only I could figure out how to get my hands on some sushi...
* Chinese Batch is here!
For over a month now, I have been receiving some unwanted attention. My theory involved the fact that I was one of a few East Asian girls here on campus. Over the weekend, a group of 100 Chinese arrived to campus. I have noticed I don't get stared at by the Indians as much, but I do get stared at by the new arrivals. I honestly believe this is because they are trying to figure out if I came with them. So far, one Indian has asked me if I am a part of the Chinese batch. I'm going to keep a running count of this.
* Wearing Indian Garb
Because I foolishly underpacked, I have been busy filling my closet w/Indian clothes including salwar kamazes, saris, and cortas. It's definitely fun to try and blend in, but I find that I draw more attention to myself when I do wear these clothes. At least I look good, haha.
Rants
* Movies @ the Multiplex
A cultural difference: the local Indians like to go to the movies to chat with their friends, including having their cellphones ringer on full blast and answering all calls. I tried to be understanding, but it really doesn't make sense to me. Why pay for a movie you don't even really care to watch? I wonder if it like this all over the country, or just on the campus...
* Lack of Variety in Food
Variety is the spice of life, right? So why is it that in a country that is known for their spices, there is no variety whatsoever. This could be attributed to where in India I am currently residing, but it is seriously starting to wear on me. On campus, there is only Indian food and Domino's pizza. Off campus, I eat more Indian food and Indian-flavored "Chinese" food. Perhaps a weekend trip to Bangalore is in order. At least they have a TGIF and a Subway there.
* Too Many Rules
The ridiculous amount of rules and ridiculous rules themselves are very much annoying now. One night, I was trying to get my school books from Stanley, who lives on the top floor. I called him and asked him to drop them down from his balcony so that he wouldn't have to walk all the way down. A security guard comes running from the other side of the courtyard and proceeds to bite my head off about how I am not allowed to cross the imaginary line that ended at the sidewalk. Then last night, a group of boys organized some Hold'em but alas, I wasn't able to play because I am a lady and ladies aren't allowed in the gents' room. And why can't we watch movies using the projector in the computer labs? So lame!
* Winning 2nd out of Two Teams
Rhea and Alisha convinced me to play in the championship game for the girls' bball tourney. My apprehension in playing in the other games stemmed from the fact that I'm not very good, but mostly it was because I am lazy. Our team had a slow first half, but we played our hearts out in the second. We lost by 4 points. Boo..
* Falling Down
It rained right before our game and during our game. The basketball was going out of bounds so I ran after it, not thinking about the wet ground that I was running on. I "gracefully" fell and now I have a scratch and bruise on my knee. The other night, I tried riding on the back of a bicycle going uphill on campus. Bad idea. I got dropped. Reminds me of Friday night when Anush claimed he could carry me and Rhea on his back. I jumped on, and we came tumbling down, but again, somehow it is only me that ends up flat on my back on the ground.
* Chocolate Indulgence Full Body Massage
It began with a small prayer and then scalp massage. This was followed by a thorough rubdown of melted chocolate, body scrub, and then a chocolate body mask. Yes, I was only sporting a small loincloth that was provided to me, but there is no time to be timid when it comes to a massage. The two lady masseuses and I got real familiar real fast. After a 20 minute nap, I woke up to take a shower, after which I was asked to jump into the jacuzzi for 15 minutes. The added bonus was I smelled like chocolate all day :)
* Sweet Lassi & Mosambi Juice
I am so addicted to these two drinks. Sweet lassi is basically yogurt drink w/lime juice. Very filling and supposedly good for digestion. I think I might have mentioned mosambi juice in a previous entry, but I should reiterate how much I love it. Sooo good!
* Care Package
Isn't strange how something so small can make you feel so much better? Gummy candies, cheddar pretzels, bbq sunflower seeds, and some dvds. If only I could figure out how to get my hands on some sushi...
* Chinese Batch is here!
For over a month now, I have been receiving some unwanted attention. My theory involved the fact that I was one of a few East Asian girls here on campus. Over the weekend, a group of 100 Chinese arrived to campus. I have noticed I don't get stared at by the Indians as much, but I do get stared at by the new arrivals. I honestly believe this is because they are trying to figure out if I came with them. So far, one Indian has asked me if I am a part of the Chinese batch. I'm going to keep a running count of this.
* Wearing Indian Garb
Because I foolishly underpacked, I have been busy filling my closet w/Indian clothes including salwar kamazes, saris, and cortas. It's definitely fun to try and blend in, but I find that I draw more attention to myself when I do wear these clothes. At least I look good, haha.
Rants
* Movies @ the Multiplex
A cultural difference: the local Indians like to go to the movies to chat with their friends, including having their cellphones ringer on full blast and answering all calls. I tried to be understanding, but it really doesn't make sense to me. Why pay for a movie you don't even really care to watch? I wonder if it like this all over the country, or just on the campus...
* Lack of Variety in Food
Variety is the spice of life, right? So why is it that in a country that is known for their spices, there is no variety whatsoever. This could be attributed to where in India I am currently residing, but it is seriously starting to wear on me. On campus, there is only Indian food and Domino's pizza. Off campus, I eat more Indian food and Indian-flavored "Chinese" food. Perhaps a weekend trip to Bangalore is in order. At least they have a TGIF and a Subway there.
* Too Many Rules
The ridiculous amount of rules and ridiculous rules themselves are very much annoying now. One night, I was trying to get my school books from Stanley, who lives on the top floor. I called him and asked him to drop them down from his balcony so that he wouldn't have to walk all the way down. A security guard comes running from the other side of the courtyard and proceeds to bite my head off about how I am not allowed to cross the imaginary line that ended at the sidewalk. Then last night, a group of boys organized some Hold'em but alas, I wasn't able to play because I am a lady and ladies aren't allowed in the gents' room. And why can't we watch movies using the projector in the computer labs? So lame!
* Winning 2nd out of Two Teams
Rhea and Alisha convinced me to play in the championship game for the girls' bball tourney. My apprehension in playing in the other games stemmed from the fact that I'm not very good, but mostly it was because I am lazy. Our team had a slow first half, but we played our hearts out in the second. We lost by 4 points. Boo..
* Falling Down
It rained right before our game and during our game. The basketball was going out of bounds so I ran after it, not thinking about the wet ground that I was running on. I "gracefully" fell and now I have a scratch and bruise on my knee. The other night, I tried riding on the back of a bicycle going uphill on campus. Bad idea. I got dropped. Reminds me of Friday night when Anush claimed he could carry me and Rhea on his back. I jumped on, and we came tumbling down, but again, somehow it is only me that ends up flat on my back on the ground.