thirty-six: last entry… for now!

This post, in particular, is a little experiment in a lovely little tool called “Windows Live Writer.” Browsing through some blogs today, I came across a few writers commenting on the innovative, accessible design of this Windows tool. Basically, the program syncs with your current blog to open up what is like a Microsoft Word for your blog. Kind of like Outlook is to e-mail.

That tidbit  aside, it is definitely strange to be home. As usual, my sister and I are amazed with our surroundings – from water pressure to quiet streets. As usual, we painfully miss all of our family and think, if we just stayed a month longer… we’d finally get to see Durga Puja, Kolkata style. On the other hand, it’s great to be back with my dad and show him all the pictures of the trip, all the pictures of his family he hasn’t seen in three years. (It’s pretty nice, Smita and I agree, to sleep on a softer mattress and have access to Internet on a more regular basis. Actually, I’m mixed on this one… sometimes it feels good to just ignore the digital world and the responsibilities it involves, like answering emails promptly!)

As the school year approaches with its many responsibilities, I have made the decision to stop posting here until I once again globetrot. I don’t want to get bored of blogging – no need for me to blog the mundane stresses of college life. (I’m thinking of starting another blog.) When will I next write here? Let’s see when I’ll next globetrot. Next summer, I hope.

Until then, with love,
Nina

thirty-five: wrap-up

It is funny how quickly a month can pass by; it only feels like yesterday that we landed in India, let alone Kolkata. Admittedly, in some ways I am eager to return to home and then to college. Both will offer a sense of permanency - something I miss after being in the limbo of travel for two months this summer. (Not that I didn't enjoy it!) Going back to the U.S. also heralds the return to reality and responsibility, of choreographing deadlines for IASA and worries about financial aid. Textbooks and packing and cleaning.

I am looking forward to getting back to exercise and meditation. Without going to the club, it's difficult to walk through the streets of Calcutta uninterrupted, and I much rather walk outside than on a treadmill. Sometimes I felt like I was stagnating in the flat. The smallness of our flat made it difficult to find some "alone" space for meditation. I'm not good enough at stilling my Mind where I can meditate anywhere, with distractions around. Additionally, to see my dad again would be great! He couldn't come with us to India and was missed very much. :( He has taken the week off this week so we'll definitely get to spend time with him!

My attempts to practice Hindi this summer have been an absolute failure - I understand most of it, but speaking still feels beyond me. I'll continue to brush up my grammar and writing before classes begin. I did speak more Bangla, though, promise! Sigh. I will have to try harder and force myself to speak more of everything. Though I really want to do many Chinmaya Mission courses next summer which would be really good for me spiritually and volunteer some of the mission's rural development programs, I also want to study Hindi in a structured immersion atmosphere. It's a bit of a predicament, so let's see how things turn out. Regardless, I will apply for that language scholarship for that particular program... Additionally, to do some side traveling with my uncles next summer would be pretty rad - like, to Sikkim and stuff.

Again, there is so much to say about India and my family. I'll continue to write about it here - sort of a post wrap-up. Or maybe I'll write it in my journal, let's see. But anyway, I know I'm going to miss my family here the most... I am keeping my fingers crossed and hope they will eventually come visit us, some day.

argh, still there is much to say but it's quite late.. goodnight.