one week

9 is the best number
Originally uploaded by heathre

I've been back a full week now from India - and it still feels weird. I have 4000 pics to sort through but wanted to do a quick blog update. This is a picture of our team at house 9 - and our homeowners Sheela and Natarayan.

I have a few pics posted on flickr and a LOT from the women build site on facebook, so be sure to check those out.

Also, here's a great article on the build with an interview with Sheela and Natrayan.


More to come!

see ya later!

be back soon :)
Originally uploaded by heathre

early spring in portland

blossom
Originally uploaded by heathre

50 billllllliiiion!

6:52 50 billllllliiiion
Originally uploaded by heathre

My acupuncturist recommended taking probiotics to help stay healthy in India.

Is it just me or is it a little creepy to think about drinking 50 billion fresh, live and active bacteria??

And diet coke free for almost a month, can you believe it?

13 days until I leave for India!!

More India Fundraising!

I'm putting together a small online auction for more India trip fundraising. We had a couple items that didn't make it into the Bollywood dance party silent auction, so I thought I'd try the online route.

Here's the link: http://www.indiawomenbuildauction.blogspot.com/

Please spread the word!

I'll be adding a few more items, including Nan's awesome handmade clay beads. Here are a couple sneak preview pics:

visa!

No typhoid for me!

typhoid mary
Originally uploaded by heathre

I'm near the end of my pre-trip vaccines. I received shots for polio, hep A (1 dose), and hep B (2 doses). The typoid vaccine is oral - for some reason. One every other day for four doses. I was being a wimp about starting it because the pharmacist said it made most people nauseous. But no side effects for me!

The trip is coming up so fast - we leave February 25th. This week, we are holding our big "Bollywood, Building and Bhangra" fundraiser at Lola's Room in the Crystal Ballroom. It should be lots of fun - bhangra and ghidda dance lessons, an awesome dj, bollywood movies/projections and a silent auction. So fingers crossed lots of people come!

I've also been doing some reading up:
Delhi Noir - a collection of mystery and moody tales set in Delhi
White Tiger - Arvind Adiga (very powerful - hilarious and heartbreaking)
Dreaming in Hindi - Katherine Russell Rich

Currently reading:
A Girl from Foreign - Sadia Shepherd
Really interesting memoir of a woman exploring her jewish roots in India.