The wedding

So as you can probably imagine, Indian weddings are those that spark the amusment and imagination. Whether it's the dances, the food, the beautiful dresses, the guys that hit on you, yes, even those. Here is the most recent tale of a family friend's wedding:

Let us start out with a bit of info here... I was wearing what we call a sari, Hannan and Lauryl were wearing what is known as a salwar kameez. Usually a girl won't wear a sari till she is at an age to be married (usually, especially where we were for this wedding). I will put it plainly, with me being in a sari, being white, and 5.9 with 2 1/2 inch heals, I was probably a sight. I counted 5 people asking either my mom or I when I was going to get married and where this blessed event was to take place. I just have to laugh, because if you know me, and my present state of singleness, the only option for me to be married within the next year would be through an arranged marriage... God, I would pity the man. One family friend asked if I would be married in America or India? I simply said that once I do get married, and it is not now, I might be married in the USA and have a reception in India. He was a little put off by this answer, saying "do you not want us to see you being married off?" I was scared he was a bit offended so I did my best to assure him that I meant no such thing, that I was only thinking about those who wouldn't be able to see me wed (being that it's expensive to fly a family of 40 + to India). And I think it would be dificult to have two weddings in two different countries, especially becuase the bloke (whoever he may be) just might be from yet a different country. Drama, drama, drama. I'm not even dating yet and yet many aorund me have ideas on how I should get married, and when (all them hoping that it is soon, some even wondering if mom and dad are arranging it right now... I laugh)

Now, onwards to an even better story. Hannah and Lauryl are the ones greeting guests as they entered the church, which I thought was highly ammusing being that they don't speak Telegu and half... no, 70% of the people who walked in didn't have a clue what these impressive beauties were saying. But one man had his eye on Hannah (she was a vision of pink) and have the boldness to come up to her. This is what he had to say "One small complement for you... You are looking like one fairy, like one fairy princess!" And with that he stuck out a bold hand as if he had just paid her the best compliment in the world and they could now be friends, in hope of something else?

On top of all this, when we were at the reception we were introduced to about 20+ people who were the guests of honor, each given an esteemed red office chair covered in plastic in front of a couple hundred peoeple... they were very nice red office chairs, matching the large velvet covered love seat which was for the bride and groom :)

But I think the best story of hte day is this:
We are 30 minutes away from leaving to catch our midnight train, over stuffed from food, wanting only to change into something comfortable and discreet (being that we are not in a very western city). Hannah had thought she packed a change of cloths, because believe me, wearing a salwar with so much work on it is very stiff. She found out she had jeans and a tank top... a white tank top, noodle straps and very tight... no spare t-shirt to be found. We're going through all of our options... could she wear one of my sari blouses? No, she lookes like a very retarted white person, could she just wear the tank top? No, too revealing.... hmmm. If only they boys had an oversized shirt that was in the back of the car (we had sent most of our things back with another driver 4 hrs before). Hannah -"go check!" So I go outside, bring in the carry on, open it up, lo and behold there is an oversized formal shirt belonging to Daniel... if you know Daniel it doesn't have to much of a shirt to be oversized :) Hannah puts it on, and though the pocket sits a bit odd, and the full length sleaves are up to her elbows, it fits! Praise God, I no longer look like a very stupid white person, but a confused one as well. Score!

These are a few dear stories which I collect as we live in India, the land we do love and cherish.

Prancing figures

Prancing figures passing by on my quite road,
Beautiful dances capturing mine eye,
Beckoning me to join in their play,
Jokingly saying I am nothing unless I do,
Where else have I seen this mimicking parade?
Who else has awoken this innate desire?
To break free and become like them,
To what point would I travel before it proved a façade?
Waking desires which should lie dormant till,
One would enter my heart and my love, steal,
Colorful deceptions looking so innocent,
Only saying I want what is natural and within,
As every being who did walk this earth before,
How to decline as my heart takes an extra beat?
I only think of this monster and I lie in defeat,
If my heart is to be won by some extraordinary thing,
It is not this, it is not now, and it is not this day,
This day I fight to see a brighter sun who would claim,
My heart in all its brokenness, quietness, my fears he has slain,
A warrior of no particular face except that of bravery,
Do not try and woe me, do not try and persuade or buy,
Should you tell me to my face that would be enough,
Do not come slyly or through some friends’ advice,
Be mine forever in truth and hope,
For tomorrows future is created by our dreams of today,
And I would choose you should you walk this way,
A life of unknown but we explore it together,
Blazing journeys of faith, not only in each other,
But in a love blessed by heaven and knowing,
That we stand together equals, in whatever we do.