Breakfast with Champions

Thanks to  ESPN and Rupert Murdoch ; we get live events on TV from all over the world. For example the English Premier League has a big following in India now. ESPN India also telecasts Yankees baseball games during  the weekends ( some link with the YES network). Ashwin likes to wake up to those games, and the games which end at midnight in the US conveniently finish at 8AM Indian time. It was also great that Ashwin got to see the home run derby during the All Star Game.

Prabhu

A Joyful Reunion

On September 2ND, at 2:30 in the morning, I finally cleared Indian immigration in Chennai and collected my 135.5 pounds of luggage.  No visitors are allowed in the airport, so a large throng waited outside of the international terminal.  As I exited the building, standing atop the gates were Ashwin and Priya with the colorful welcome signs they had made, and Prabhu, our family photojournalist right behind.  Needless to say it was incredibly wonderful to be back together, with giant hugs all around.  The next morning, Ashwin and Priya eagerly combed through my luggage - Priya was thrilled with the birthday gifts and Ashwin was elated that the Wii had survived the trip unscathed!  Thanks so much to everyone who sent packages from the US - they are being thoroughly enjoyed. 

I have spent the last few days adjusting to the time, heat, etc.  I am so impressed with how thoroughly Ashwin and Priya have adjusted to life here - they are very comfortable at their school, both are learning Tamil, and both have made new friends.  I am also amazed at the fact that in the time that they've been here they have never complained about the heat.  I have been struck at how hot and humid it is - with very little cooling at night.  Prabhu told me that he had hoped that by September, it would have cooled off more, but a friend explained to us last night that "September is our second summer in Chennai".  You would have thought that one would be enough....  Ah well, so happy to be here in spite of the temp.  

More soon.   Leann

September 1st

We have been waiting for this day for a long time. We are all so excited to go and meet Leann at the airport. Two and a half months has flown by so fast. Ashwin and Priya have been working on the welcome signs. Incidentally Priya is sitting on  the Indian version of the lazy boy chair called the easy chair. 

We had a couple of  birthday celebrations in August ;  Helen and Raja ( Raja Mama  to Ashwin/Priya).  Have included  pics of Priya choosing a gift for Helen and one with cousins and friends who attended the party.

Ashwin had a disappointing loss 3-2 in the soccer league  semifinals. It was a great match  and the game could have gone either way. Ashwin scored both the goals and set up some great chances. Coach Doug would have been proud of the play. 

The Autorickshaw

Driving  in Chennai has been  a challenge, especially while driving  my scooter. Most car drivers consider two wheeler, a nuisance they have to deal with on the road. Two wheelers include motorbikes(mostly 100- 250 cc),  scooters which make up for more than 70 % of the vehicles on the road. The Autorickshaw is a motorised version of traditional  rickshaw and is probably the most common mode of hired transportation in Indian cities. Its not the most comfortable ride , but widely available and  for extra payment would be willing to take as many as 4 or 5 adults. Its quite common to see 8-10 school children travelling together in  a single autorickshaw, after school returning home. There a picture of Ashwin/Priya going to school in an auto before we bought the scooter. In the other pics Ashwin and Priya were going to a mall called the Spencer's Plaza with their cousins.

Soccer League

Sundays are busy with church , getting ready for the week and Ashwin's soccer league.  The game today was one of the best and Ashwin scored 3 goals in a 6- 0 victory. The league should go on this early September and will keep you posted. To check their standing in the league you can check www.ashrayaindia.org as well. Ashwin plays with the Tigers in the 7- 9 yr old group.

Priya's Birthday- Part 2

Later in the day we had a small party with a couple of Priya's friends from school and our neighbour Shiva joined us. Following some games we celebrated with the singing candle and snacks.

Later in the evening we had our relatives come over. Priya and Ashwin had fun playing with their cousins and their families. The singing candle made its appearance again, with the cake. And following the birthday song(the extended version) and eating, the party went on till  2245 hrs. 

Priya's Birthday

We were eagerly counting down to Priya's  birthday on August 2nd. Apart from the celebration, it reminded us that Leann's arrival here is imminent. As per the local custom Priya got to wear coloured clothes to school on Friday and distribute candy sweets to all the children in her grade and to her teachers. 

On her birthday we took part in a carnival at her school in the morning. There were a few games In the pics you can see Ashwin  playing a game where you use a tennis ball to bring down the tin cans which were placed on top of each other and shaped like a pyramid.