Isabella Joins Our World

While my goal is to write about our travels through India, today must be about a very special event, the arrival of my only granddaughter. This is the one day of my life this has taken place and I'm humbled by the knowledge of her presence. For sure it will be Marc and Julia's full time responsibility, but I will know her well and cherish following her story, her journey.

Isabella was due the 11th of December, but held us in suspense. She stalled, waited and teased us. Finally the doctors had to take the cesarean route and she had no choice.

Caiden was very much involved with the arrival of his sister, and has quickly became quite the big brother. Bindu and I are wondering if he realizes Isabella is soon to leave the hospital, arrive at his home and share his space. We will meet Isabella in July and we are already starting the countdown till that day arrives.

Some Good Results

Bharat Sarronwala, Bindu's father, had surgery yesterday to remove a growth from the upper portion of his right lung. Observation and testing has proven the growth to benign, so nothing to worry about.

While the result was good in that regard, initial recovery from the surgery itself has been a little slow. This morning Bharat was very weak, even quite breathless on a limited walk in the hall. He came back and took to the bed and was breathless, sweaty and quite unsteady from the exertion. It was a little sobering watching him try to get back to his former self. By late this afternoon, though Bharat seemed to have turned the corner and indicators were moving in the right direction. Before we left the hospital at 9.00 this evening, he really was gaining strength almost by the minute. He slid into bed tired, but much more his own self. This is a completely good result now.

We are all so grateful to begin the holiday with such a positive result.

Launch That Holiday

Day 1, hour 1 of a much anticipated break for Bindu. The VPA concert is behind, and all compliments on student performance very well deserved. She and the entire Visual and Performing Arts department can be happy with the results.

We lift off via Singapore Airlines today for Bangalore. This is the only part of the next 3 weeks we view with a serious eye as Bindu's father will be having surgery later today to remove a growth in his lung. The prognosis for a complete recovery is excellent, yet still, a surgery of this kind at 80 is enough for more than one concerned look. We anticipate good news and are putting all our energy in that direction.

I've never attempted to blog a holiday before, one where we will be doing significant moving from place to place. Still, if it's a priority, it can get done to some degree. It will motivate me to look at the world around me for a little more detail knowing I'm committing to this task. :-)

An Sunny, Warm, Asian Christmas

In a few days we'll be heading to India for a wonderful change. Bindu will not have the daily school routine, and I'll be seeing a country fabled for color and culture. This will be very, very cool.

Until recently I've not realized how much snow and cold weather has been part of my holiday psychological framework. Can it be the end of 2010 and no snow on the ground nor frosted breath in the air?

A few days ago we put up our Asian Christmas tree. The lights went on, came off. Went on, came off. Ah, then a trip to Ace Hardware. Two more times - lights on, lights off. Finally we got it right, as if there is a right. We finally called a halt to the nonsense and are enjoying bright lights and beautiful ornaments. Isn't this the way it's supposed to be?

The eReading Experience

This has been revealing. A lifetime priority has been having a great book going, and the emotional/educational experience has always been tied to the text comfortably resting in my lap.

From youthful flashlight reading under my covers to absorbing a travel book while watching the land roll by from the crowded side of the Greyhound bus window, the physical book has always been present.

Currently I'm absorbed in The White Mughals, a classic piece about the assimilation of early Englishmen into Indian society.

The novel is great, which is not a surprise, but the whole experience of reading it on an iPad has been an unexpected pleasure. From the backlit text, increased font size, sepia color background, and easy transport of the book, using this medium has been revolutionary. While it may be a bit premature to say this is the only way I'll read in the future, it's clear I'm going to try this route again.

The test will come when I have a hard copy in my hand and I'm still tempted to purchase the same book in digital form.

Unexpected Pleasure

Consistent running is garnering the most obvious benefits...I'm getting in much better shape. I fully appreciate having the time to do this.

The running is good for health, but yesterday I had a wonderfully warm and unexpected benefit. Stride for stride I fell in with two other runners, an Indonesian man and woman. I have seen them before and have been impressed by their speed stamina. Tono has just returned from the New York marathon. Nini is training for the Singapore 42km. and they are both planning on running the Tokyo marathon.

To make such friends or acquaintances while doing something I enjoy so much is very, very fine. I look forward to seeing Nini and Tono again and follow their progress through the upcoming events.

...and the rains came

It is now the beginning of the rainy season, and the days are becoming very, very wet. This is causing problems for the local tennis court. The river, usually well contained between tiled banks, has overflowed, spilling across this part of the neighborhood, making the court more like a red and green rice padi.

The rainy season.