LinZi Update: Life and Stuff

Hello hello,

I know, I know. Again it has been forever since I wrote anything. But I have been a very busy lady!

Some updates on my life: So in the past year, I have worked five jobs... first (desperate and unemployed) I got a job as a hostess at a very unfriendly-styled managed Mexican restaurant. This being a stressful, low paying, and underemployed option, I decided to add in an internship at Barakat, a non-profit working out of Cambridge. That was pretty cool, but since it didn't pay and the other job didn't really give me work, I had to give it up. THEN I starting working at a local day care, which was enjoyable, but tiring. I have recently gotten hired for a much better paying job with full-time hours. Yay! I applied for this job last December, and was on the waiting list for a loooong time. Now, of course, that I have this job, I have already applied for the Masters Nursing program that I have been dreaming out... hooray. (More on that soon).

SO right now, I am quite busy. Working my full time jobby job, taking my last nursing requirement course, and also working part time at a library... so if any of you wonder why you haven't seen or heard from me lately... well, there it is.. business abound.

I am not complaining though. Time is going by fast, and soon enough, I will be able to visit my lovely Vivek again soon. He has plans of his own in motion.

In other news, my lovely dog Murray is trying some new meds. He has had urinary incontinence since I adopted him and has to wear a specially (hand)made doggy wrap in doors, but recently the vet suggested some meds to try, which could help. Now, I have only had them on the meds for one day, so we will see how it goes. I am excited to see, as I am sure Murray would love to run free and naked indoors and out, as a dog should be.


Let's see? What else for today. Still waiting for an news from my sponsored child Saba, so when I get an update on her, I will be sure to add the details for all you people who graciously donated to her tutor fund! :)

I guess my post was very list-y today, but hopefully there will be more posts soon with news about nursing!

A Tutor for Saba: UPDATE

Thanks to many generous donations, the amount needed was earned for Saba. $50 will go towards her tutor and any other education needs, and the remaining $50 will be for anything her family needs.

Thanks so much to everyone who contributed. The money will reach CI at the end of the month, and when I get pictures and a letter I will make sure to post updates.

A tutor for Saba

Saba is a little 10 year old girl I sponsor through Children International who lives near Kolkatta, India. I have been sponsoring her since 2006. She enjoys studying languages at school, drawing and playing outside.

Saba started school late and therefore is in need of a tutor. She is currently in 2nd grade and needs some extra help with her writing skills especially, as she is behind compared to other children her age. She dreams of being a doctor someday.

A tutor for the year costs $26 in India, but since it is a special needs gift, a minimum of $100 is required. The rest of that money will be used for other things the family needs.

Due to the economic issues in the U.S. I have been struggling to pay for my two sponsored children's monthly sponsorship costs. While I could afford $26 for her tutor, I cannot currently make a $100 contribution on my own to help her with her education. If anyone would be willing to contribute to this fund, it will give Saba a chance for a tutor as well as other benefits for her family so she can be closer to her goal of becoming a doctor. :)

If you would like to contribute, please follow the link here: Help Saba get a Tutor

Any amount will help!

Found!

Aman is found and is safely home with family! Hooray

I Miss India

I miss India
The swoosh of cars, honk honking
dogs barking,
birds tweeting in the flutter leaves of the tree outside my window
it's big orange blossoming blooming in the sunshine
while the kawa hops down on my porch banister hoping I'll give him a scrap.

I miss India
The smell of dinner, spicy and hot dripping like oil from the windows of flats I pass
Mixed with earth, rain,
and a compost heap on the side of the road

I miss India
the laughter of friends sipping milky-sweet chai at a dabbha,
slapping at the macchar biting my ankles
sweat making my kurta cling to my back, as we laugh and enjoy the simplicity of eating with friends

I miss India
the breeze in my face taking an auto-rickshaw
the icy blast of air from an air conditioned music store, music so loud my head is buzzing
I always complained but it is nice to get TOO cold while watching a three hour Bollywood movie.

I miss India
The smile on your face as you hand me a reused Bisleri bottle filled with cold water from the cooler by the mess, beads of condensation dripping as I pour it into my mouth, India style, splashing down my chin, making you laugh, like always.

I miss India
the big white cows with the hump on their backs
glaring at me with their innocent eyes as I wait for you to buy the cigarette I am trying to encourage you not to smoke, and saying I don't like the smell, i miss that smell

I miss India,
The buses trundling past, with all their destinations in Hindi. I can never read them fast enough to know... is this the right bus? so I only get on when I am with you

I miss India,
staying up late watching movies with the philosopher and a strong woman, the air cooler blowing a humid but relieving breeze,
Enjoying the cooking at your family home.. such good daal, followed by a night time walk in the damp grass with two mischievous dogs,
riding three people on your new bike, laughing at the stares of people, seeing us crammed together, backpacks in all directions,and being driven by a girl, no less ;)


I miss India
How the merchants in the bazaar were fooled by my salwar suit (for once!) and for you we had a normal day shopping, unless I opened my mouth, my Hindi infused with an obvious American accent

I miss India
laying there, watching the fan revolve lazily, turned down so we can hear the parallel cinema film we are watching together, thinking of our plans for tomorrow, next week, next year... our world.