Dancing Queen

" नाचना का रानी "

(From left to right: Zane, Sunil, Bebe, John, Tyler [in red], and Alpesh) Enjoying some association at Rick and Shilpa's house with friends from the Detroit Hindi Group led to banghra dancing. Brother Thakkar insisted that all the brothers get out and dance, and then his mother, Bebe, joined in. Priceless. We really enjoyed meeting them and can't wait to see them at the upcoming assembly in New Jersey.

(जैन, सुनील, बेबे, युहन्न, ताइलर, और अलपेश) रिक और शिल्पा का घर में, खनने के बाद हम ने बंघ्रा नचा। थककर-भाई ने कहा की सब भाई नाचना चाहिए। तो उसने किया। और इस के बाद उसकी माता भी! हमने उसके मिलकर से बहूत खुशी मिला।

Flower Lady

This is from last year, April 2007. Cathy is modeling some very lovely longstem roses. Classic really, they can go with just about anything. These went very nicely into wedding boutonnières. Some people go with another timeless choice, carnations. But this is not a picture of Cathy with carnations, so let us not get off the point.

Jamandabeth

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I *heart* NY

Ah, there's nothing like a cruise. Unfortunately we didn't take one last weekend, but we did go to New York with Rachel and Paula. And what fun we had!
Leaving Thursday night after everyone got off work, we made it to the city in a mere 14 hours! PS-We didn't have to pay for parking all weekend long, it was great!
Rachel and Paula stayed with friends who live at the Sands and we stayed in a guest room there too. Zane's lifelong dream of being at morning worship was fulfilled on Saturday and Monday too. It was a great trip. Saturday we went to the beach and, as Rachel says, the ocean made mixed drinks with us. We battled the waves and played volleyball.
We didn't take that many pictures but you're welcome to view the video montage I made. Don't forget to turn on your speakers, there's music too!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Robyn's Visit- Part A

Last month our friend Robyn visited us! We had so much fun. I'm making a slideshow of all the pix we took, but it's not done yet, so here are some of my favorites to hold you over till I can finish it.

We had our Hindi public talk on the first Saturday of Robyn's visit. Here she is looking great in her first saree! (Vilas, Rachel, Me, Robyn, Seconda, Jonelle and her friend, and little Daniel in the front)

Here we are again.

Posing under a rock (where I grew up), just outside of the Chicago Aquarium.

BETHEL!

We are in New York this week to visit the 3 Bethel branches, and attend our Hindi special assembly day. We are so excited because for some of us it is our first chance to tour the facilities.

Here we are with an Indian sister we met in the lobby of Patterson, Seetamah. She is also here with about 30 people from the Hindi group she attends in L.A. They just had their first public talk a few weeks ago!

Amanda, ME, and Rachel, in the lobby of Wallkill.

Amanda, Zane, ME and Kyle. Kyle was our tour guide. He is also from Illinois and has been friends with Rachel's family for years. And if I may say, he was the coolest tour guide that four people from the Hindi group could have ever had on a Wednesday in April of 2007! The absolute BEST!

Seattle, WA

You might be from the Pacific Northwest if:

You feel guilty throwing aluminium cans or paper in the trash.

You use the statement "sun break" and know what it means.

You know more than 10 ways to order coffee.

You know more people who own boats than air conditioners.

You stand on a deserted corner in the rain waiting for the "Walk" signal.

You consider that if it has no snow or has not recently erupted, it is not a real mountain.

You can taste the difference between Starbucks, Seattle's Best and Veneto's.

You know the difference between Chinook, Coho and Sockeye.

You know how to pronounce Sequim, Puyallup, Issaquah, Oregon and Willamette.

You consider swimming an indoor sport.

You can tell the difference between Japanese, Chinese and Thai food.

You never go camping without waterproof matches and a poncho.

You are not fazed by "Today's forecast: showers followed by rain," and "Tomorrow's forecast : rain followed by showers."

You have no concept of humidity without precipitation.

You know that Boring is a town in Oregon and not just an adjective.

You can point to at least two volcanoes, even if you cannot see through the clouds.

You put on shorts when it gets above 50F, but still wear your hiking boots and parka.

You switch to your sandals when it gets about 60F, but keep the socks on.

You have actually used your mountain bike on a mountain.

You think people who use umbrellas are either wimps or tourists.

You knew immediately that the view out of Frasier's window was fake.

You measure distance in hours.

You carry jumper cables in your car and you know how to use them.

You shop for things you know will look good under a raincoat.