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YES, I am missing home. We are counting down the days until we return.
Our stay here has been most enjoyable, I am in photographer's heaven!!!! I take "snaps" daily in hopes of sharing my experiences with all of you. This weekend we are planning a venture to the Taj Mahal located in Agra. Both Rick and I are very much looking forward to our trip. We'll leave the resort @ 6 a.m. and drive to Sugit's house, who will then escort us to the Taj. We are hopeful to get in our elephant ride, as well as some market and emporium shopping.
Yesterday the storms came in and the roads were difficult to travel.
God is blessing us everyday and providing lots of opportunity for us to connect with the associates here in India.
Missing ya'll tons and will see you in 7 short days!!!!!! LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN!
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I know it's been a bit since I've updated everyone. Our stay here in India has really been and enjoyable experience overall. Soft live is a term used within the company to indicate we've moved beyond the training/classroom enviornment to on the floor production of a portion of the loan volumes to acclimate them to the processes gradually.
Last night @ dinner, about 10:30 p.m. Rick and I were observing a model being filmed, appeared as if they were doing a photo shoot as well as a movie or commercial. This morning when we were at breakfast, Leslie Morrison approached me to be in the movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The producer of a new program in India is being shot, called India's Millionnaire Channel - highlighting places that the rich and famous can enjoy. Well of course I had to tell him that I needed to freshen up. We left the restaurant and were driven to our rooms, because neither my, nor Rick's keys are working and they have to get the enginneers out to correct the problem or move us from our rooms to new rooms. In any event, I spruced up and actually got ready for work, wearing my Salwar-Kamis & Dupatta. When I arrived back at the restaurant, Leslie greeted me with OH MY MS CELEBRITY! You look wonderful! The camera crew proceeded to get me ready for the interview and the model we saw last evening joined me as if to share a meal. I learned from her that she is from London, a young girl, who is traveling around the world to capture the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Leslie assured me that he would get this on film and get me the take (we may actually get the whole show). I felt like a movie star - the woman making sure the set was right, made sure my necklace was hanging correctly, moved my hair around and wired me for sound.
The last two days have been a little stressful healthwise, if you are reading, I'd just ask for your continued prayer. I believe I am in the center of His will, and that His protection is surrounding me. Well friends, family and fellow teammates, I must sign off for now.....time to get back to work. Love and miss you all! We are down to only 9 more days till we return home :o) - Rick said we are in the single digits now.
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Smiles and laughter & love bridge the cultural gap.................no matter where you are.
This weekend was a fun-filled, excitement packed venture. We had clearance to travel to Delhi, the capital city of India. Krishan, our driver, started us out @ Connaught Place where we experienced the underground market. Not what I'd expected, but definately an adventure. We purchased shoes, stoles, shawls, jewelry, shirts, souveniers, and Rick bought a watch. Srijna, Sveta, Abilasha, Gautam and Vineet all met us there. Wait til I get home, Vineet caught a bit of it on handy-cam. However, after we came out of the underground market, we got to experience the open market - exactly what I anticipated!!!!!
After we finished there, Krishan took us to the CP Revolving Restaurant. Located on the 27th floor we were able to see the entire city of Delhi. There were signs pointing to the Red Fort, the President's House, Various Mosques, Connaught Place, and various other landmarks.
We were able to stop at India Gate for a few minutes after our shopping and dining. We were caught in the midst of a windstorm but we couldn't resist stopping. Vineet helped us by photographing us and continuing with his video capture. The India Gate is a memorial for all the men who gave their lives for their independence.
We passed on dinner and decided to meet this morning for brunch, which was to say the least amazing. After dinner, I got to take a mid morning nap, which by the way has become custom on the weekend. I doze off and the house boys come to clean, it never fails, but groggy as I am, I let them in and they clean my place spic n span. They are really awesome here.
The girls and I met by the pool and enjoyed the sunshine and the pool for a quick dip.
Today marks Tiffany's 21st birthday. If you see her please give her bear hugs and a great big kiss from mama 8,000 miles away. I was able to send her a chocolate dipped strawberry bouquet for her birthday all the way from India.
I love an miss everyone.......pics will be posted shortly.
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Our mission is being accomplished - we have completed our UCC Training and wrapping things up in the classroom today - we've got about 8.5 more hours to work as we had to extend our hours today. Yesterday roads were closed so we stayed back at the resort and rested and ate, and rested again, walked the perimeter of the property, napped, and ate again! Took some more photos which I'll try to upload this weekend.
Our plan as it stands right now, we are scheduled to go to Delhi to experience the markets, Gate to India and the Red Fort. We are so looking forward to experiencing more of India. On the way in this morning there were three or four herds of sheep - there were hundreds and shepherds were tending the flock - just like in biblical days.
We left the resort @ 9 a.m. this morning and expect to return around 10:30-10:45 p.m. - yes, the days are long. But our weekend will be great reward for another productive week. I tried Roasted Duck last night (from Pauline's plate) - and it was awesome! I ordered an Asparagus Macaroni - it was delicious - had a cream sauce and some form of creamy cheese then it was topped with Asiago and baked. MMMMMMMM
There is unrest here in India from a group who is protesting the government for more rights. Apparently this is a tribe striving for similar tax, schooling and benefits. It's been a little unsettling, although Rick and I feel they are taking appropriate precautions for our safety......besides, every morning we thank God for his provision; thank him for our safety and for continued protection. We are both comfortably resting in His hands!!!!!!
Love and miss you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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As you can imagine they are not celebrating this American holiday. The weekend held great relaxation and rejuvenation for us. We started the weekend off right - the hotel staff greeted us as if we were royalty (first time we got quite this level of service) 'Ms. Fields and Mr. Plybon, we've been expecting you.....you must be exhausted from your long day/week....may we take your bags...may we escort you to your room......you freshen we will take you to dinner.' When we got to the restaraunt, they actually opened the kitchen for us (it was about 11:30 p.m.). We met a gentleman by the name of Ed - and executive in from New York City who works for Merrill Lynch. He is a world traveler - we were shoked when he ordered Rib Eye from the menu. Of course, based on all of our preparation we knew that in India you can't order beef. But we were wrong, he got the best piece of steak delivered. He joined Rick and I and shared all sorts of stories. Said this was the most remote location he has ever travelled.
Saturday, Abilasha met us at the Ambiance Mall which is 1 kilometer in length and 7 stories high - Pauline, Marion, Abilasha and I were in heaven while Rick and Abilasha's husband chatted, and stayed out of the stores as much as possible. Saturday afternoon each of us received a handwritten invitation to join the Executive Sales and Marketing Manager for dinner - of course I had to order the Rib Eye - it was mouth watering and melted in our mouths. When we asked Rib Eye of what he said beef of course. Leslie is from Kolkata (Calcutta) - a different region in India where cows are not sacred. He has the steaks imported from Austrailia - he loves steak. We learned about his family and his four year old daughter - Bianca who loves American cartoons and Disney. After dinner we listened to Rebecca (the singer from Austrailia) - she's going to give me a cd - can't wait for you to hear her.
I was located about 12:30 a.m. the hotel staff found me letting me know that Rick had an emergency and I needed to get to his room right away. All he communicated is his hand is bleeding. He had attemped to kill a very large spider with a shoe and his pinky finger nail hit the concrete - 1/2 the nail bent backwards and ripped flesh wide open - he was bleeding a lot. We called the hotel staff and they brought him a bandaid - this obviously was not going to take care of the wound. After discussing our options we cleaned the wound with alcohol - put Neosporin on it and wrapped a great deal of gause on the upper part of the finger so as not to touch the nail. Then we put a big knee size bandaid around the top. He started his antibiotics and pain meds. Our option was to have him rushed to the hospital (you will understand why we didn't take him when you see the photos of their medical facilities). Leslie was with us when we were caring for Rick and he offered to have the physician come to the resort in the morning. We waited Sunday morning for the doctor and believe it or not we did everything exactly as he would have. We undressed the wound and after his assessment I assisted (as nurse) to redress the finger.
I enjoyed a pedicure and the best facial!!!!! Oh my goodness - the facial included a shoulder, arms and legs massage - it was the best!!!! Laura if you're reading this you were absolutely correct. After my treatments I napped for several hours. I was late to dinner but enjoyed a great Basil Chili Chicken over jasmine bed of rice.
Immediately after dinner, I returned to the bed and passed out until morning.
I am missing you all and can't wait to come home, but have thoroughly enjoyed this experience and wouldn't change it for the world!!!!! Take care and talk to you soon.
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