always after the fact

i seem to always think of something brilliant to say or do...problem is, its always after the fact.

for instance: i attended the @-India national congress this past week. i was asked to do a US roll call, and couldnt think of a damn one of them. then, finally, it came to me. i had it all down in my head, i was going to do the one that goes: "I said a boom chicka boom...I said a boom chicka boom...I said a boom chicka-rocka-chicka-rocka-chick boom..." you all know it.

instead, i got up to the front, blanked, and did the chorus of swing low, sweet chariot...one that i've never done in front of anyone, and one that i dont' know all of the actions to...

funny thing was that as soon as i sat back down, i could remember the words to the original one i was going to do. freaking memory and nerves...and since when am i nervous in front of 250 20 year olds?

why can i always remember things after the fact????????? come on klein!

Finally, a conversation worth sticking around for

Those little nugates of wisdom, great ideas, and interesting conversations always seem to pop up where you least expect it...

I was finishing up my month of travel around India (Mumbai, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Madurai, Kodikanal, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi-photos will be posted at a later date) and was staying with an alum and his parents for the final 2 days in Mumbai before going back to Delhi. Now, this guy is wierd--super socially inept. In any case, the whole stay was a bit on the akward side, and I was thinking about changing my ticket to go back to Delhi early. But then I met the akward one's dad.

Both of the nights there, his parents cooked dinner, and his dad and I had very interesting conversations. The first night, we chatted about the history of India, women in politics, and the US's foreign policy with respect to India. All topics that pique my interest. The next night, topics became even more interesting as we brought religion into the mix. He told me about a hypothesis of his that people who are meat eaters are generally more violent than those that are vegetarians. Interesting hypothesis...very interesting. In fact, he went on to say that the reason he thought muslims were so violent was because of the way they kill animals before butchering them--that they torture the animal. In the US, supposidly we use electricity to numb the animal before killing it...something I didn't know and haven't researched.

Now I don't know if his claims that preparing halal food (the way that Muslims have to kill and prepare food) is true or not. This would go for Kosher food as well (the Jewish way of preparing food). I don't know much about the subject. But I did find his claim that people that eat meat are more violent than those that do not to be very interesting.

Think about it.

If it is engrained in our culture and minds that its ok to kill an animal for food, would it be easier to make that next step to kill someone over something?

I'm not sure...the jury in my head is still out. But I do think this has given me quite an insight into Indian culture. And I was very happy to finally have a conversation that did not include who kissed who, who likes who, who makes what salary, who drives what car, who works where...all that which really doesn't matter to me in a personal capacity, but the conversations that I do have in a professional one.

Merrily, Merrily we stroll along

There is a commercial here that has really intrigued me. It talks about a man that is happy with his job, happy, happy, happy. So happy, it says, that he doesn't notice the opportunities around him...opportunities for advancement.

Wierd-I always thought that if a person was happy, they wouldn't want to change a damn thing. They would take advantage of the fact that where they are, right then, is making them happy...in my expeirence, those moments are few and far between.

Merrily, Merrily we stroll along...

But is that enough? Is being happy in your job, home, family, life in general, enough?

How do you grow from being happy? I know from my perspective, I have a hard time figuring out key learnings from when something goes right, but can identify all of the key learnings when something goes wrong.

Merrily, Merrily we stroll along...

I don't want my life to be about strolling along, (no matter how merrily) or being too happy in one position. I want it to be about growing, being challenged, learning and evolving as a person. This isn't to say that I won't be happy...there will be moments. But I believe happiness also lies in those moments where you feel uncomfortable, out of place, challenged. Where you need to muster up all of the courage, strength, knowledge you have and jump in.

Merrily, Merrily we stroll along...

But in doing this, in giving up the present, to make ourselves better, happier in the future, do we miss out on something today? Probably...

Merrily, Merrily we stroll along...

do we give up today in order to make ourselves better for tomorrow? do we enjoy today and deal with the consequences tomorrow? Is there middle ground?

I'm already feeling the push and pull of the world...do I stroll along and enjoy the now, or keep my nose to the grind stone and focus on the future????

I don't come from this, I come from that

Where I come from:
-Playing in the mud
-Swimming in creeks
-hauling wood
-"do it yourself"
-building sites
-wisconsin accents
-living on my own
-driving my car
-hand-washing clothes
-supermarkets, hypermarkets
-"anyone can" attitude
-cows in the fields

Where I don't come from:
-servants, maids, cooks & drivers
-private clubs
-difficult schools
-caste
-naked children
-cows in the streets
-bamboo scaffolding
-rickshaws & limousines
-younger attitude
-clear social seperation of men and women

Lately, I've been noticing the differences in where I come from and where I am. People come from so many different backgrounds, build on so many experiences-both their own and of their heritage-that placed them where they are right at this moment. With so many different experiences, how is it that when our paths cross, we are able to form bonds? In my experiences, it comes down to nature.

Examples: No matter which culture you are in,
-Dads are protective
-Mothers are nuturing
-Boys always tease
-Girls are more leery
-Men want sex
-Women want love
-Grandmothers are good for hugs, cooking, chatting, and sometimes a good kick in the ass
-Grandfathers are good for learning about nature, and giving treats
-Families love each other, fight, make up, get through the day, celebrate birthdays, mourn losses, always stick together, and are always connected
-Sisters fight, gossip, laugh, cry, and share everything
-Brothers wrestle, tease, and have heart to hearts
-Couples talk, walk, love (if they're lucky) and learn to live with each other

Its just that these sentiments are expressed in different ways...in my experience, that is. learning these differences is something I will never get tired of!

The days of being a slave laborer are over!

Dad-this one's for you.

When I was a youngster, we'd head up to my Dad's cabin in the north woods of Wisconsin a lot. In the summers, the days were filled with great times like hanging out with cousins, swimming, campfires, and ghost stories.

but there was a catch: every time my dad found a dead tree in the woods or on our property, he had this uncontrollable itch to cut it down, slice it up into pieces, and have us kids (the slave labor, as I like to think of it) haul all of the wood down to the pavilion for storage so we could burn it. It was something I LOATHED taking part in.

The reason I tell this story is that here in India, I am told that if you cut down a tree, you have to plant 10 more in its place...that goes for anything. You also need a special permit in order to cut it down...and it can take weeks to get that permit. So, if you want to build a house and need to cut down a tree to do it, you have to plant 10 more around your property. Its law. Freaking great! And it makes the cities look wonderful, with trees and greenery everywhere. And, there are no 12 year olds hauling wood.

Eat your heart out dad!

I suppose that those past summers I will always remember, and know where I came from. I suppose it was a good experience in that sense. As dad always says for all of the practical things he teaches us: "That way, you'll know how to do all of this stuff, and do it right." I suppose...

But I wipe my own ass!

This post is not for the faint...the title comes from the movie big daddy (giving cred where cred is due, thanks dianna).

In any case, finding toilet paper here has been one of the bigger struggles...well, the issue isn't finding it, but having it at the right times. When they say in the lonely planet guide to keep tp with you at all times, they really mean it...or else. Want to know the or-else? I think y'all have enough imagination to know. Just the thought of it makes my stomach turn. And I took the plunge the other day and tried it (I had to be practical, a nasty ass is not anybody's thing) Even after about 5 mins of soap and water, I couldn't get over what I just did. I dare anyone to shake my left hand...

But I don't want to be obnoxious. I understand there are cultural differences. Some bathrooms have tp, others don't...just something to get used to, like having a maid or being grabbed by street kids who want money...ok, maybe not exactly like those things, but its all part of the experience. Take away learning: ALWAYS KEEP TP WITH YOU. ALWAYS.

Living the dream

My first shisha in India...kind of wierd that its taken such a long time for me to find a place to enjoy the fruity smoke of the water pipe, considering India is the land of its birth! I even had to take a 2 hour plane ride to Mumbai, just to find it!

The awesomeness that is Mumbai is really getting me not excited to go back to Gurgaon (suburb of Delhi, and my home base here). For instance:

Mumbai is much safer, I can take a cab or an auto rickshaw all by myself! (and here is where the "I'm a big kid now" song from the Huggies commercials starts playing and re-playing in my head).

Mumbai seems cleaner-or at least the parts that i've been in.

Mumbai seems a bit more happening.

In any case, I'm not trying to knock Gurgaon...just noting differences. And did I mention where I'm staying??? In a PALACE!!! Well, not really a palace, but it freaking looks like one! After 2 days with the @India MC, I decided to give Sudeep, one of the @Alumni Association members, a call to see if I could work out of his office. He totally welcomed me, cleared out a private office for me, and invited me to stay in his home. Last night was my first night there. And its freaking huge and beautiful and amazing! I have my own guest room, with my own bathroom, soft pillows, and a real towel! (I've been using a travel one since I got here). Last night I had the best night sleep since I got here!

The funny thing about this is that it isn't the first alumni home that I've been to that has wow-ed me. Sudeep and I chatted about living standards on the way to his office this morning. It is so amazing the way that people with a little bling are able to live over here. Everyone has at least a maid (even those right out of college in their first job) who does at minimum the floors and the dishes. Many people have a cook as well. Some have a live-in servant. All of this is normal. All of this blows my mind!

But getting back to the alumni...these kinds of experiences I'm sure won't stop. It makes me realize how important and needed my job is. Connecting the right people at the right time is how I want to really make my mark on the world. As I learn more about my job, and get into it, I am realizing that this is exactly the kind of stuff I had talked about doing! I've had this idea floating around in my head about starting up a biz that is centered on strategically connecting people. What I've come to realize is that this IS that. This is something I have talked about, and now am able to live. Holy frealing hell, I'm living a dream...amazing!

Reassessing home

called delhi "home" today in an e-mail and didn't catch myself until it was already sent...ha! I'm not going to try to read into it too much...discussions with the sister unit will suffice. But I found it hilarious and quite fitting for where I am in life now.

In Mumbai

flew to mumbai today to get things revved up here again. everything needs a catalyst. learning how to be an effective one is key.

i feel like i'm branching out in my job more...feeling way more comfortable calling people randomly and having akward convos...now if my phone worked, that would be stellar.

i finally feel comfortable, like i can do this. before, i kept asking what the catch was...now it doesn't matter. what matters is that i'm here and that i use this experience to develop myself as much as possible.

yeehaw! i'm excited again...and in mumbai...change is the only constant...

Women are taking over the world...

...its not jut a feeling. Women are excelling all over the world. I'm glad to see the US is making strides in this direction as well. They're a far cry from an Indira or Sonya Gandhi, though!

Thought: I hope the dems run Hillary in 2008, then Condi will run...then we'll definatly have a woman prez! Freaking cool man!

Exceptional women I need to know more about:
Indra K. Nooyi (CEO of Pepsi)
Indria Gandhi
Condi Rice
Hillary Clinton
The women EMTs in Pakistan
Madeline Albright (an @ alum...and someone I need to meet!)
Simone de Beauvoir
Mother Theresa
Sandra Day O'Connor
Emma Goldman
Maya Angelou
Ella Fitzgerald
Katherine Hepburn
Janis Joplin
My mom

Remarkable women, Remarkable examples. The task ahead: to become remarkable.

Women will take over the world

I've never been that great at predictions, but I can guarantee one thing: You men keep letting us women down, and you're fueling the fire of your own destruction.

I've never met a man that hasn't let me down in life. Ammunition? Maybe. Sad? Certainly.

Its the same story everywhere. Events at home are making me even more cynical. I'm over the tipping point. Now I'm angry. And this propels me on.

Delhi, along with my mind, was not foggy this morning. I can see a future, one where women not only have their fair share in the world, but one where women are the leaders, the important players. I think the world would be a better place...

But very few takeovers have been peaceful, especially ones that challenge an entire existence. This makes my resolve stronger, my hope greater, the need more prevalent.

Getting through the fog

Delhi has been really foggy lately…really, really foggy…both literally and figuratively.

I’ve been walking around in this thick fog, in Delhi, and in my mind, only able to see that which is directly in front of me. This has been a real challenge, as I tend to look to the future as inspiration for the present. But with this fog, there’s really no way of seeing anything but the immediate.

At 7:30am, my driver seems to handle the morning fog quite well. He’s still able to zigzag the car in and out of traffic with ease. Why can’t I function so well without being able to see what lies ahead?

They tell me that the fog will let up soon, that it will begin to get warmer again. I can only hope this goes for the fog in my mind as well. The good news is that it will take less than an act of nature to ease the fog out of my mind…all it takes is an act of me.

Delhi: I found it

Ahinsa Sthal

I went, I saw, I loved it! Behind the walls bordering every street, behind the bricks that line the highways, behind the gates on the streets that seem to lead to no where, lies a beautiful, quiet, green, calm, did I mention quiet? Delhi. This city holds so many treasures...and is not flaunting them at all!

Rashtrapati Bhavan

Tatiana and I headed out to see some of the sights of Delhi this past weekend. Among them were Ahinsa Sthal (a temple), Safdarjung’s Tomb (a tomb), and Rashtrapati Bhavan (ruins). We also stopped at Indira Gandhi’s former residence (now a Museum), Connaught Place, and a huge market that I can’t remember the name of. Everything was absolutely stunning!

Safdarjung’s Tomb

I learned that behind the walls that seem to run along every street and place imaginable, lie beautiful, quiet, calm places…and I’m beginning to get a foothold on Indian culture and the contrasts it holds.